Geo. W. King Ltd

By Alan Ford

The Argyle Works c.1950
King Newsletter
The Argyle Works from Southgate House c. 1963
King Newsletter Summer 1963
Geo. W King's Sons (left to right) - Harry, Donald and Hartford
King Newsletter Christmas 1962

From the 1940’s to the late 1960’s Geo. W. King Ltd was one of Stevenage’s major employers. The iconic Argyle Works beside the Railway (opposite the present Railway Station) was a notable landmark. The Company produced cranes, hoists, pulleys, mechanical handling gear, sliding door gear and agricultural equipment, exporting to Australia, North America, South Africa, Russia and Mongolia.

Founded in 1914

Geo. W. King Ltd was founded in 1914 at Stratford in East London by Mr George W. King an American born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1862. He had arrived in England in 1891 having worked his way across the Atlantic on a Cattle Boat with the intention of proceeding to Australia. By the end of 1914 he had also taken over the firm of Messrs. G.H. Innes and Co who had works at Hitchin, (the Station Ironworks), and formed another company called Innes Son and King Ltd. In the late 1920’s his businesses transferred solely to Hitchin.

When Geo. W. King died in 1925 his son Donald became  a Joint Managing Director and later Chairman and Managing Director. His other two sons, Harry W. M. King and Hartford M. King would become Vice Chairman and Assistant Managing Director respectively .

When it became evident that the works at Hitchin were becoming overcrowded an additional site was found at Stevenage. In 1938 work began building a factory on this site. By the end of 1940 certain departments had moved to Stevenage, but the Second World War delayed a major move from Hitchin and any further building on the site.

During the Second World War both the Hitchin and Stevenage Factories were involved in War work producing components for Tanks and Searchlights and Mechanical Handling Equipment for factories assembling Aircraft and Vehicles.

After the war

After the War extensions were built to the Stevenage Factory,  and when the building of the Office Block was completed in 1953 the remainder of the works personnel and office staff moved from Hitchin to Stevenage and, the Hitchin Works were sold.

The completed Stevenage works covered 30 acres and had 7 Bays for the following uses: A Bay – Heavy Fabrication; B Bay – Structures; C Bay – Cranes; D Bay – Drives and Tool Room; E Bay – Hoist Assembly and Machine Shop; F Bay – Light Fabrication and Machine Shop; G Bay – Press Shop, Door Fittings and Heat Treatment; Z Bay – Carpenters, Apprentice School, Garage, Agricultural and Canvas. Much of the equipment used in the works was for heavy duty including, 10 feet (3.5m) bending presses, guillotines for steel plate and, 240-ton and 30-ton presses.

During the 1950’s and 1960’s King supplied nearly all the Car Manufacturers in Britain  with Mechanical Handling equipment namely, Austin, Morris, Rootes, Jaguar, Standard Triumph, Vauxhall and Ford. They also supplied equipment to Peugeot, Simea and Citroen in France, Alfa Romeo in Italy, Volvo in Sweden and complete handling systems for two tyre plants in Russia and one in Romania.

Its own sports field

The site had its own Sports Field and the Company had an active Sports and Social Club. During the 1950’s and early 1960’s the Company also held an annual Show and open day. The Sports Field was sold around 1980 and was developed as the Showrooms and Offices of Fulton Close.

In October 1967 Geo. W. King Ltd joined the Tube Investment Group and, in November 1973 became a member of the Camford Engineering Group. Work ceased at the Factory in July 1990 and, in September 1990 the buildings were demolished and the 50 year old landmark disappeared. The site is now the Stevenage Leisure Park.

[This post was edited on 5 October 2020 to reflect the doubt expressed in a comment that Donald was the “eldest” son of Geo. W. King as originally stated by the author. Ed.]

This page was added on 28/04/2013.

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  • I live in Port Noarlunga, South Australia. Part of my carport was constructed with old rail tracks bearing the name Geo.W. King Stevenage. I found this page after Googling the name.

    By Terrence Arthur Beard (28/12/2020)
  • Hi Alan
    There is one fact that I would like corrected, Donald was GWK’s second son, Mr Henry “Harry” W M King was the eldest of the 3 sons.
    Thanks

    By Philip (05/10/2020)
  • Hi Alan,

    I am one of the great-granddaughters of George W. King and came across your summary today. Thank you for the history.

    By Jennifer King (23/08/2020)
  • Having worked here I may be a bit biased but think that the Geo W King building at Argyle Way was an iconic view of Stevenage not only for those railway passengers travelling from Kings Cross on the Great Northern line but most certainly a Stevenage landmark for those who either worked there or can remember its brick built façade looking out towards the railway line .

    By K.Allen (09/12/2018)
  • Hi Pauline

    Thank you for the update on the King badges, they are better in the museum and ading to your local history. Could you tell me if Kings ever had a badge on a piece of machinery that containd a picture of a playing card representing the KINGS in a deck of cards please??.  Regards,  AL

    By Alan Ratcliffe (14/04/2016)
  • That sounds like a comprehensive collection, Alan! Unfortunately for you, however, the Museum did accept Dan’s offer of the crane nameplates and badges, which are a valuable addition to its knowledge of the town and its industry. 

    By Pauline (09/01/2016)
  • Hi

    I have just found a long service employees lapel badge for this company and on researching the badge I came across your comment regarding the crane badges. I have a collection of over 5oo badges all related to transport and heavy equipment, if no one has yet accepted your kind offer I would be delighted  to have them in my collection.

    Kind Regards,   Alan

    By Alan Ratcliffe (04/01/2016)
  • Wow, worked at Kings from 1989 – 2003 from Stevenage and then when it moved to Letchworth in 1990. Such a shame to see it go.

    Found this link to the building in Letchworth, shows pictures of the building after the closure 

    http://www.oblivionstate.com/forum/showthread.php/5953-George-W-King-Ltd-Hertfordshire-Aug-2013 

    By Stuart Buckminster (14/10/2015)
  • Richard Drury finance director of George W King has always regards for the old company. With interest also :) 

    By Leila and grandad Richard D (01/05/2015)
  • Stevenage Museum is certainly interested, Dan. Please contact the Curator.

    By Pauline (18/04/2015)
  • Hi Alan, we are currently in the process of refurbishing an industrial unit and have removed an old GEO W KING crane. WE have kept the nameplates and badges, if these are of interest to anyone? Thanks Dan – Towndoor Limited

    By Dan Bamforth (15/04/2015)