Chad Valley were one of the UK's leading toy manufacturers and also one of the last companies in Birmingham to have a daily goods service by rail to and from their factory in Harbourne. See. 'The Harbourne Express' for further details of the railway.

Fordson Dexta

In 1860 Anthony's two sons, Joseph and Alfred, set up a similar business trading as Messrs. Johnson Bros. in George St, Birmingham.

In 1897 the company relocated to Harbourne, becoming Johnson Bros. (Harbourne) Ltd

Their new factory was known as The Chad Valley Works from a small stream nearby and they subsequently adopted the name, ' Chad Valley'  as a registered trademark.

The company continued to sell stationery but also began to produce a range of cardboard games and toys which were gradually extended. In 1904 Joseph Johnson died and his eldest son Alfred. J. Johnson took over as chairman and managing director. It is also believed that Johnson Brothers made brass postal scales.

At the outbreak of the First World War  imports of toys and games into the country ceased and the company used this opportunity to increase its range of products and expand. The company produced its first soft toys, a range of traditional, jointed, plush Teddy Bears in 1915.

In 1916 the company patented a stuffing machine for soft toys.

By the early 30's they were advertising a range of bears in fourteen different sizes.

The company expanded during the war to such an extent that in 1919 it acquired the Harbourne Village Institute. This building was used as a printing works to provide box covers and labels for the games and toys. The soft toy business which also needed more space, was relocated to Wellington in Shropshire. The new factory, known as The Wrekin Toy Works, began production in 1920.

In 1920 the three factories were merged into one firm called, The Chad Valley Co. Ltd.

During the 1920's the Chad Valley Company continued to expand its range of products and both the Wellington and Harbourne works were both extended to cope with increased production.

In 1923 the company registered the trademark, Aerolite, and also took over Issac and company.

In 1931 the company continued expanding taking over the old established toy manufacturing firm of Peacock & Co., of London.

In 1936 A. J. Johnson the chairman died and was succeeded by Sir James Curtis and then by F.R.B. Whitehouse, who was chairman until 1956.

In 1938 the Chad Valley Company was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment, 'Toymakers to Her Majesty the Queen'. Interestingly, in 1953, after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11, this warrant was changed to 'Toymakers to Her Majesty the Queen Mother'.

During the Second World War the Chad Valley factories turned to war work and  the production of soft toys was very limited. During this period the company made a variety of goods, including small wooden instrument cases and cases for the barrels for anti aircraft guns. Also electrical coils and starters, auto pilots, children's clothing, , tent poles, charts and hospital tables.

After the war the company continued expanding and in 1950, in order to raise money for further expansion, the firm became a public limited company. The company then took over four other companies which were;

1951 Hall & Lane Ltd., of Birmingham, (metal toys)
1954 the family business of Roberts Bros. (Gloucester) Ltd.,  (Glevum Toys).
1958 Acme Stopper & Box Co. Ltd., (who actually made metal toys!)
1967 H.G. Stone & Co . Ltd., (Chiltern Toys)

By 1960 the company had seven factories and employed over a 1000 people and this period was probably the peak of their of their manufacturing history

By the 1970's Chad Valley was feeling the pinch of competition from abroad and a recession. Massive cuts were made and after 1975 there were only two factories left. Soft toy manufacture was moved to Pontypool in South Wales.

In 1978 the firm was taken over itself  by Palitoy, a Leicester based firm.

In 1988 the Woolworth's acquired the trade name of Chad Valley.

During its lifetime Chad Valley made a wide range of toys from the horse racing game, Escolada, to metal cars to Teddy Bears. They also made jigsaw puzzles, one of their clients being the Great Western Railway who used the puzzles for publicity.

Their range of bears are very much sought after by collectors today.

Chad Valley were the first manufacturers to use colored mohair fabrics. They began producing novelty bears in in 1926 with Rainbow Tubby Bear, who had a collar and a clown's hat. In 1930's there was Magna Bear, Cubby Bear and Sonny Bear.

Chad Valley also made Winnie the Pooh and in the 1950's they had exclusive rights to produce a replica of Harry Corbett's Sooty and Sweep the dog.

We would love to hear from anyone who worked in the Harbourne factory, please contact us on the email address on the home page