Manganese Bronze Holdings
Encyclopedia
Manganese Bronze Holdings PLC is an engineering
company based in Coventry
, England
. Since the sale of its components division in 2003 the company has only one operating division—LTI Limited, trading as The London Taxi Company—which manufactures and retails London Black Taxi
s.
The London Taxi Company manufactures London Black Taxis and retails and provides maintenance services for taxis in the major cities of the United Kingdom
.
Villiers Engineering Ltd
, a motorcycle company chiefly known for its range of engines was taken over in the early 1960s by Manganese Bronze Bearings Ltd as it was then known.
Manganese Bronze Holdings Ltd bought AMC (Associated Motorcycles) owners of the Norton, AJS
and Matchless
motorcycle brands in 1964 and named new products Norton-Villiers.
Under chairman Dennis Poore
as part of a rescue plan initiated by the Government Manganese Bronze absorbed part of BSA
in 1973, including non-motorcycle business. The BSA motorcycles interests trading as Triumph were combined with the Manganese Bronze motorcycle production to form Norton Villiers Triumph
(NVT). BSA Guns was liquidated in 1986. The components businesses of BSA became Manganese Bronze Components Division, comprising sintering, precision casting and metal powders. This division was sold in 2003 and went bankrupt a short while later.
In January 2003, MBH launched Zingo Taxi, an innovative taxi hailing system using mobile location technology. This was sold to Computer Cab in November 2004 for £1.
Between July 2003 and November 2004 MBH sold its property portfolio, including the land under its Coventry manufacturing facility.
In January 2007, an Extraordinary General Meeting
of the shareholders approved a joint venture with Geely Automobile
to manufacture the London Black Cab and other vehicles in China. In June 2008, MBH announced the production of the first prototype TX4 taxi at its Chinese joint venture, LTI Shanghai.
In July 2008, LTI Vehicles announced that its business had not avoided the global economic downturn, and would be laying off 40 employees.http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2008/07/04/150-manufacturing-jobs-to-go-in-coventry-92746-21227779/
The classic Austin FX3
"black cab" taxi of 1948 was built by car body builder Carbodies
in partnership with Mann & Overton and Austin
. More than 7000, mainly destined for London, were produced over ten years. Carbodies concentrated on producing complete taxis, starting with the Austin FX4
in 1958/9; this is the classic cab still common today. They were taken over by Manganese Bronze Holdings plc in 1973. In 1982 Carbodies took over the intellectual rights to the FX4 from British Leyland (which had by then absorbed Austin).
Latterly, developed FX4 models were known as the LTI Fairway.
LTI introduced the successor to the FX4, the TX1
in 1997.
It was developed into the TXII
, which was introduced in 2002. It is powered by a Ford Dura Torq 2.4-litre diesel engine and features an integral, fold-down ramp for wheelchairs. It also has an intermediate step and swivel-out seat for passengers with moderate walking difficulties. For people with hearing problems it has an induction loop incorporated in the intercom system.
The latest model as of 2006 is the TX4
. It is powered by a VM R 425 DOHC diesel engine and features many refinements and enhancements.
All taxis operated in London
, UK must comply with the Conditions of Fitness, which are managed by the Public Carriage Office (PCO). Formerly a civilian branch of the Metropolitan Police Service
, the PCO is now part of Transport for London
, under control of the Mayor of London
.
Over 130,000 London Black Taxis have been produced at London Taxi Company's Coventry site over the past sixty years. Annual production has averaged between 2000 and 2500 units per year through the past decade.
Around two thirds of production goes into London via the London dealership in Islington. The remainder goes largely to the larger cities in the UK that have adopted the PCO's London Conditions of Fitness (including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry and Bristol). Outside these cities the market for taxis is dominated by multi-purpose vehicles that have been converted to make them wheelchair accessible in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
.
In June 2007 Manganese Bronze Holdings, The London Taxi Company’s parent company, finalised a joint venture with Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd to produce the purpose-built taxi in Shanghai, China. The joint venture company began producing the London Taxi in April 2009 following a successful launch at the Shanghai Auto Show. The vehicle is for sale not only in China but is also exported all over the world by The London Taxi Company. Production in Coventry to the UK market remains and benefits from the supply of lower cost components from China.
LTI rebranded to The London Taxi Company in 2010.
has been in talks over the possibility of converting London’s black cabs into electric-powered cars. The company, which co-owns black London taxi-maker Manganese Bronze, says it has held talks with UK government officials about the plan.
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
company based in Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Since the sale of its components division in 2003 the company has only one operating division—LTI Limited, trading as The London Taxi Company—which manufactures and retails London Black Taxi
Hackney carriage
A hackney or hackney carriage is a carriage or automobile for hire...
s.
The London Taxi Company manufactures London Black Taxis and retails and provides maintenance services for taxis in the major cities of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
History
Manganese Bronze made ship propellors.Villiers Engineering Ltd
Villiers Engineering
Villiers Engineering was a manufacturer of motorcycles and cycle parts, and an engineering company based in Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, England....
, a motorcycle company chiefly known for its range of engines was taken over in the early 1960s by Manganese Bronze Bearings Ltd as it was then known.
Manganese Bronze Holdings Ltd bought AMC (Associated Motorcycles) owners of the Norton, AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
and Matchless
Matchless
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins...
motorcycle brands in 1964 and named new products Norton-Villiers.
Under chairman Dennis Poore
Dennis Poore
Roger Dennistoun "Dennis" Poore was a British entrepreneur, financier and sometime racing driver,. Poore used his personal weath to bankroll the founding, in 1950, of the motor racing journal Autosport. He himself was a keen motor sport participant, and competed in two Formula One World...
as part of a rescue plan initiated by the Government Manganese Bronze absorbed part of BSA
Birmingham Small Arms Company
This article is not about Gamo subsidiary BSA Guns Limited of Armoury Road, Small Heath, Birmingham B11 2PP or BSA Company or its successors....
in 1973, including non-motorcycle business. The BSA motorcycles interests trading as Triumph were combined with the Manganese Bronze motorcycle production to form Norton Villiers Triumph
Norton Villiers Triumph
Norton Villiers Triumph was a British motorcycle manufacturer, formed by the British Government to continue the UK motorcycling industry, but the company eventually failed.-Formation:...
(NVT). BSA Guns was liquidated in 1986. The components businesses of BSA became Manganese Bronze Components Division, comprising sintering, precision casting and metal powders. This division was sold in 2003 and went bankrupt a short while later.
In January 2003, MBH launched Zingo Taxi, an innovative taxi hailing system using mobile location technology. This was sold to Computer Cab in November 2004 for £1.
Between July 2003 and November 2004 MBH sold its property portfolio, including the land under its Coventry manufacturing facility.
In January 2007, an Extraordinary General Meeting
Extraordinary General Meeting
An extraordinary general meeting, commonly abbreviated as EGM, is a meeting of members of an organisation, shareholders of a company, or employees of an official body, which occurs at an irregular time. The term is usually used where the group would ordinarily hold an annual general meeting , but...
of the shareholders approved a joint venture with Geely Automobile
Geely Automobile
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is a holding company and parent of Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd a private automobile manufacturer. Geely may often round out the top ten Chinese automakers....
to manufacture the London Black Cab and other vehicles in China. In June 2008, MBH announced the production of the first prototype TX4 taxi at its Chinese joint venture, LTI Shanghai.
In July 2008, LTI Vehicles announced that its business had not avoided the global economic downturn, and would be laying off 40 employees.http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2008/07/04/150-manufacturing-jobs-to-go-in-coventry-92746-21227779/
Taxi production
Austin FX3
The Austin FX3 was a taxicab designed to comply with the Metropolitan Police Conditions of Fitness for London taxicabs, but was used in other towns and cities in the United Kingdom...
"black cab" taxi of 1948 was built by car body builder Carbodies
Carbodies
Carbodies LImited is a British company based at Holyhead Road, Coventry. It started business as a coachbuilder, and now, as The London Taxi Company is best known for its production of London taxicabs.-History:...
in partnership with Mann & Overton and Austin
Austin Motor Company
The Austin Motor Company was a British manufacturer of automobiles. The company was founded in 1905 and merged in 1952 into the British Motor Corporation Ltd. The marque Austin was used until 1987...
. More than 7000, mainly destined for London, were produced over ten years. Carbodies concentrated on producing complete taxis, starting with the Austin FX4
Austin FX4
The FX4 is the classic Black Cab. While the majority are black, there is in fact no requirement for them, or indeed any other make of London taxi to be black. Over the years, the FX4 has been sold under a number of different makers' names.-Design and launch:...
in 1958/9; this is the classic cab still common today. They were taken over by Manganese Bronze Holdings plc in 1973. In 1982 Carbodies took over the intellectual rights to the FX4 from British Leyland (which had by then absorbed Austin).
Latterly, developed FX4 models were known as the LTI Fairway.
LTI introduced the successor to the FX4, the TX1
TX1
This is about the taxi in London. For the camera see Canon PowerShot TX-1. For the video game, see TX-1 .TX1 is a Hackney carriage introduced by London Taxis International in 1997 and designed to replace the aging Austin FX4...
in 1997.
It was developed into the TXII
TXII
The TXII is a hackney carriage manufactured by LTI. It is the second model following the modernisation and re-design of the London taxi which began with the TX1...
, which was introduced in 2002. It is powered by a Ford Dura Torq 2.4-litre diesel engine and features an integral, fold-down ramp for wheelchairs. It also has an intermediate step and swivel-out seat for passengers with moderate walking difficulties. For people with hearing problems it has an induction loop incorporated in the intercom system.
The latest model as of 2006 is the TX4
TX4
The TX4 is a purpose built taxicab manufactured by Manganese Bronze Holdings / LTC The London Taxi Company, formerly LTI London Taxis International. It is the latest in a long line of purpose-built taxis manufactured by LTC...
. It is powered by a VM R 425 DOHC diesel engine and features many refinements and enhancements.
All taxis operated in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK must comply with the Conditions of Fitness, which are managed by the Public Carriage Office (PCO). Formerly a civilian branch of the Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
, the PCO is now part of Transport for London
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
, under control of the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
.
Over 130,000 London Black Taxis have been produced at London Taxi Company's Coventry site over the past sixty years. Annual production has averaged between 2000 and 2500 units per year through the past decade.
Around two thirds of production goes into London via the London dealership in Islington. The remainder goes largely to the larger cities in the UK that have adopted the PCO's London Conditions of Fitness (including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry and Bristol). Outside these cities the market for taxis is dominated by multi-purpose vehicles that have been converted to make them wheelchair accessible in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which has now been repealed and replaced by the Equality Act 2010 , except in Northern Ireland where the Act still applies...
.
In June 2007 Manganese Bronze Holdings, The London Taxi Company’s parent company, finalised a joint venture with Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd to produce the purpose-built taxi in Shanghai, China. The joint venture company began producing the London Taxi in April 2009 following a successful launch at the Shanghai Auto Show. The vehicle is for sale not only in China but is also exported all over the world by The London Taxi Company. Production in Coventry to the UK market remains and benefits from the supply of lower cost components from China.
LTI rebranded to The London Taxi Company in 2010.
Electric taxi
Chinese carmaker Geely AutomobileGeely Automobile
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is a holding company and parent of Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd a private automobile manufacturer. Geely may often round out the top ten Chinese automakers....
has been in talks over the possibility of converting London’s black cabs into electric-powered cars. The company, which co-owns black London taxi-maker Manganese Bronze, says it has held talks with UK government officials about the plan.