Easiclene was founded at Wembley, London, in 1935 under the name Easiclene Porcelain-Enamel Limited. Three years later it went into liquidation and was purchased by Rubery Owen, and re-registered as Easiclene Porcelain-Enamel (1938) Limited.

The original factory closed in July 1947, and production moved to Darlaston. The head office was in Lord Street, Wolverhampton. Easiclene products were manufactured in part of the Vitreous Enamelling Department.

Easiclene specialised in the manufacture of domestic equipment, built to high standards. Products included  kitchen sink units, kitchen cabinets, wash basins, enamelled table covers, lavatory flushing cisterns, draining boards, washing machines, and refrigerators.

An Easiclene sink unit.

An Easiclene sink unit and cupboards.

The company continuously carried out extensive research into the design, manufacture, and general application of its products in the modern home, which successfully combined labour saving features with an attractive appearance.

The products were made available to housing authorities, architects and builders, and to the general public through leading builders' merchants, and stores, throughout the country.

The well known 'Princess' range of sink units and cabinets also included draining boards, lavatory wash basins, and flushing cisterns, finished in pastel colours of vitreous enamel to withstand hard wear and rust. The 'Duchess' range of sink units and washbasins were also manufactured in various sizes, in mirror finish stainless steel.

Spraying a coat of gloss enamel on sink units, prior to fusing in a vitreous enamelling furnace.

Loading the furnace.

Part of the vitreous enamel plant.

The fusing plant in the Vitreous Enamelling Department.

Two adverts from the mid 1950s. Courtesy of Christine and John Ashmore.

From Ideal Home magazine, May 1957.

An advert from 1963.

At the time of the Munich crisis, it seemed that war was inevitable, and Mr. A. G. B. Owen realised that factories would be potential targets for the enemy.

In such circumstances, efficient fire fighting would be essential to minimise damage, and so he formed the Rubery Owen Works Fire Brigade.

The original brigade had a complement of fourteen men, with Mr. H. C. Harris (known as Skipper) in command.

He had previously gained considerable fire-fighting experience in the Merchant Navy, and so was ideal as the brigade’s first Chief Officer.

With the continued threat to the factory in the early war years, from the German bombing campaign, and the liberal use of incendiaries, the brigade grew to one hundred and twenty part-time members, and the appointment of Mr. E. Hoggart, previously from the Nelson Borough Fire Brigade, as full-time Second Officer.

The fire brigade and some of their trophies. From the staff magazine, Christmas 1947.

They won two out of the four events, the hydrant drill, and the light pump drill. They also won the Aggregate Trophy for the highest number of points.

From the autumn 1949 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".

A new brigade headquarters was built in a central position, alongside the canal, offering a more than adequate supply of water. It was fitted with up-to-date equipment, and accommodation for a shift of fifteen men, who would be on duty during the long wartime nights.

Thanks to the high standard of training, the brigade had many successes in competitions organised for industrial fire brigades, and acquired a large collection of cups and trophies.

One of their spectacular successes occurred in 1944 when they won the prestigious light trailer pump competition at the Regional Headquarters of the London Fire Brigade, at Albert Embankment, London.

Another important team was set up around the same time. In October 1938 discussions began on the formation of the Works Ambulance Division, which also played an important role during the war.

After the war, the Division was reorganised so that first aid equipment was available in all departments, and in the offices, in case of major accidents. Volunteers were asked to join a scheme which ensured that each department had at least one ambulance man. Division meetings were held at the First Aid Headquarters on Thursday evenings between 5pm and 6pm.

The Rubery Owen Home Guard Brass Band, in 1940 or 1941.

Alfred George Beech Owen (1909–1975) was the son of Alfred Ernest Owen from Wrexham. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and after the death of his father in 1929 he became joint managing director of Rubery Owen with his brother Ernest William Beech Owen.

He was a lay preacher for much of his life, and proprietor of the BRM motor racing team from the early 1950s to 1974, and in 1963 received the Ferodo trophy as the man who had done the most for British car racing.

He served on Darlaston Urban District Council from 1934 until 1966 when it was absorbed into Walsall County Borough, becoming Chairman from 1942 until 1946, and again from 1952 until 1954. After the merger he continued to represent Bentley ward until 1972, and was also a councillor in the Borough of Sutton Coldfield from 1937 until 1974, becoming Mayor in 1951.

He was an independent member of the Staffordshire County Council from 1949 until 1966, serving as Chairman from 1955 until 1962.

From the autumn 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".

Sir Alfred had been made an O.B.E. in 1946, and a C.B.E. in 1954. He was appointed Knight Bachelor in 1961 for services to local government.

After retiring as chief executive of all the companies in the organisation, he remained Chairman of Rubery Owen Holdings Limited until his death on 29th October, 1975.

He served Keele University from 1957, first as Chairman of the Council, then as Vice President of the University College of North Staffordshire. When it received a full Charter he became Pro-Chancellor, and was made an Honorary D.Sc. in 1965.

He also served on the Council of Birmingham University, and on a number of national committees including Dr Barnardo's, the Boys Brigade, and the Youth for Christ Movement. He was also closely associated with the Billy Graham Crusades, and served as Vice Chairman of the National Savings Movement, and Chairman of the National Road Safety Council.

Six years after the death of his mother in 1958, he took up residence in the family's home, New Hall Manor estate in Sutton Coldfield, where he lived for the remainder of his life. In 1970 he was made Freeman of the Borough of Sutton Coldfield, the last person to hold the office.

Convalescent Home

At the beginning of 1946 the search for a suitable property began, and soon ended with the discovery and purchase of 'Cadogen'.

There were two separate bathrooms, one for men and one for women, dining rooms, games rooms with a billiards table, dart boards, and facilities for playing draughts or dominoes. The lounge had a piano, a radiogram, books and periodicals so that visitors could feel at home.

The rail fare to and from the house was paid by the company.

It was found that the health of visitors soon improved, and often they could be back at work after only a few days stay at the home.

The official opening took place on Wednesday 25th September, 1946 and some time later a plaque was unveiled at the house to commemorate the employees who lost their lives in the war.

The Day Nursery

Orange juice was supplied every day at 11 o'clock as part of the Welfare Foods Scheme, and adequate toys were provided along with excellent supervision.

The matron was Miss H. M. Tilley.