--- title: Our History | Lloyds British description: Specialist testing, inspection, maintenance, certification and training for the lifting services industry. image: https://www.lloydsbritish.com/hubfs/Images/ourhistory-%20hero.png --- [![Lloyds British ](https://www.lloydsbritish.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LLoyds%20British%20logo_Speedy%20Hire%20Business%202.jpg?width=286&height=139&name=LLoyds%20British%20logo_Speedy%20Hire%20Business%202.jpg "Lloyds British ")](https://www.lloydsbritish.com)   # Our History - Standing the Test of Time ## Lloyds British has been **synonymous** with the very best in lifting engineering for over **two centuries**. With dedicated, experienced and **qualified staff** at the heart of our business, we've stood the test of time.  We continue to deliver a reliable, responsive and efficient service to support our customers' compliance requirements throughout the UK and overseas. - 1812 ### Staffordshire Public Chain & Anchor Testing Co. Formed by the Association of Wrought Iron Chain Manufacturers to standardise the quality of production of chains and anchors. Lloyds Register of Shipping supplied a Superintendent who had the authority of Works Manager. - 1884 ### Herbert Morris Limited Herbert Morris Limited was founded and was to become one of the leading companies in Europe engaged in the manufacture of cranes, electric hoists and pulley blocks - 1899 ### Anchor & Chain Cable Act This Act compelled manufacturers to use an independent proving house for cable and anchors supplied to ships built to Lloyds classifications. It also laid down a statutory price list to be varied only by application to the Board of Trade. - 1930 ### Proving houses opened Several proving houses opened to carry out the requirements of the1899 Act, mostly by Lloyds British Testing Co., Cradley Heath, Tipton, Chester, Sunderland, Newcastle and Glasgow. - 1960 ### The post war years Steel chain began to replace wrought iron chains and the 750T machine was installed at Netherton in 1934. During the war years there was a boom which continued into the early 1950's. Then competition from Japan, Germany and Sweden reduced the shipping tonnage ordered in the UK. Proving houses were closed, eventually leaving only Netherton and Newcastle in operation. Industrial testing and repair began to replace chain, cables and anchors, particularly at Newcastle, as a major part of the work undertaken. Steps began by shipbuilders to remove the 1899 Anchor and Chain Cable Act from the Statute Book. - 1974 ### Formation of a new company - Crane Aid Services The amalgamation of Herbert Morris-Brown Lenox, the Royton Chain Company of Manchester and Liverpool, together with the Crane Aid Division of Herbert Morris Limited, led to the formation of a new company, Crane Aid Services. The new company continued to expand and in 1977 joined forces with Lloyds British Testing Company Ltd. - 1977 ### Lloyds British becomes part of the Davy Corporation Lloyds British joins the Davy Corporation - 1991 ### Sale to Trafalgar House Lloyds British and Morris Cranes were sold to Trafalgar House. - 1992 ### Acquired by the KONE Corporation The KONE Corporation of Finland acquired Lloyds British, which then became part of KONE Cranes. - 1998 ### Up for sale Due to KONE focusing on crane maintenance service. The hire division of Lloyds British Testing was put up for sale. - 1999 ### Management buy-in A management buy-in was completed on 4th March and Lloyds Equipment Hire was created. That same year, discussions started with KONE Cranes in respect of purchasing the former parent company Lloyds British Testing Co Ltd. The deal was valued at over £5m. - 2000 ### Acquisition and formation of the new Lloyds British Group Acquisition of Lloyds British Testing Co Ltd. by Lloyds Equipment Hire was completed and the new Lloyds British Group was formed. - 2007 ### Lloyds British acquire Somers and Rota After a short spell on the AIMS market, Lloyds expanded into new areas with the acquisition of Somers Handling which was integrated into Lloyds British Testing and now known as Lloyds Somers. Lloyds went on to acquire Rota Handling in Dudley. - 2008 ### Lloyds venture into overseas markets Lloyds opened operations in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and India. - 2012 ### Lloyds acquires Military Marine Lloyds acquires Military Marine and creates Lloyds British Defence. - 2016 ### Acquired by Speedy In December 2016, Lloyds British becomes part of Speedy Asset Services Ltd. ##### *“Wow, that is seriously quick and professional service all around! Thank you! Honestly, great service over the last few weeks, a real pleasure to work with you”* **Gerry Furlong - Facilities Manager** Request a quote If you require assistance with your requirements, contact our industry experts today. - Unmatched industry experience - Prompt and reliable service - Nationwide support. ### Request a quote --- ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressLocality" : "Newton-le-Willows", "addressRegion" : "United Kingdom", "postalCode" : "WA12 0JQ", "streetAddress" : "Chase House, 16 The Parks" }, "description" : "Lloyds British, a nationwide provider of engineering testing and certification services. We have been the industry-leading service for over 200 years.", "email" : "sales@lloydsbritish.com", "geo" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "53.4800329", "longitude" : "-2.6445964" }, "image" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/6113928/Logos/Lloyds_British_Logo.png", "logo" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/6113928/Logos/Lloyds_British_Logo.png", "name" : "Lloyds British", "openingHours" : "Mon,Tue,Thurs,Fri 09:00-17:00,Wed 9:30-17:00", "priceRange" : "£0-£10000", "review" : { "@type" : "Review", "reviewRating" : { "@type" : "Rating", "bestRating" : "0", "ratingValue" : "0", "worstRating" : "0" } }, "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/Lloyds-British-584453458674282/", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/lloyds-british", "https://twitter.com/lloydsbritish" ], "telephone" : "03456099216", "url" : "https://www.lloydsbritish.com/" } ```