Our History
Rozone
Rozone has been developing industrial cleaning technologies and supplies since the last century. We introduced the first bioremediating parts washer from the USA to the UK in 1996; to date we have placed over 26,000 parts washers and are proud to work with a wide range of customers within Defence, Aerospace, Automotive, Plant Hire, Government and Municipal, Engineering, Bike Shops and many more. Rozone now has its own bioremediating parts washer, the ROwasher, the fluid and filter mats, developed in partnership with Wolverhampton University.
Rubery Owen
Rozone started life as part of the Rubery Owen Group of companies. RO was a founding member of the automotive industry supply chain. As an early pioneer in the componentry of what became the aerospace industry, RO was one of the largest employers in the Midlands.
From 1930-1945 RO was involved in many projects that might feel familiar; all the steel work for Twickenham’s Rugby Union HQ was fabricated and erected by RO as was the steel work for many famous football clubs, including Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
During WW2, RO played a significant role in the war effort, manufacturing helmets, bomb castings, aeroplane undercarriages and hydraulics.
Post-war Rubery Owen was a leading industrial enterprise and it was once said that in the 1960s there was not a car or a lorry made in the UK that did not have an RO component in it somewhere.
Rubery Owen put huge resources behind building the ‘Bluebird’ car for Donald Campbell. He gained the land speed record of 403.1 mph on July 17th 1964, over the salt beds of Australia’s Lake Eyre. British Racing Motors (BRM) was a British Formula One motor racing team, run by RO between 1954 and 1970. BRM won the constructors' title in 1962 when its driver Graham Hill became world champion.
The 1970s and 1980s changed British manufacturing and the oil crisis and unionisation meant that corporations changed immeasurably. Rubery Owen always innovated and was wedded to its origins in manufacturing, automotive and aerospace sectors.
21ST CENTURY
Rubery Owen remained responsive in a changing world and moved in line with market demands, servicing a broad market group through its subsidiary companies
1970’S – 90’S
1980-81 Closure of Darlaston Factory
1971 – Rubery Owen vying with Littlewoods to be Britain’s largest privately owned company in early 1970’s
1970’s – 80’s Significant Downturn and Recession
1960’S – 1970’S
1964 – Donald Campbell, son of Sir Malcolm Campbell, makes the Land Speed Record in Bluebird which was created by Rubery Owen
1962 BRM is F1 World Champion
1950’S – 1960’S
“You’ve Never Had it So Good” said McMillan and this was true for Rubery Owen who, at this time, boasted 17,000 employees working in 63 companies throughout 5 continents.
1930’s - 40’s
War Effort sees Rubery Owen enjoy significant growth
1893 – 1930
Rubery Owen becomes a major player in the manufacture of motor chassis, structural steelwork and aerospace components
1893
AE Owen joins as Partner to Mr Rubery
1884
JT Rubery and Brothers opens for business