Firim and sons badges maker

Here a cutting the from the Birmingham Mail June 22nd 2010
Firmin are now to make all the new badges etc for the MOD


Peter


Firmin and sons (1).jpg

['Ticker' Riley]

Hi Peter

Many thanks for putting this news article up about Firmin – it’s good to see an English company still going strong, especially in the current economic climate and with stiff overseas competition. It can’t be easy for a military accoutrement manufacturer these days, and it would be sad to see the Firmin name go the same way as so many of the old badge making firms. As a Brummie in exile I still like to stay in touch with what’s going on in my native city, and for me part of the attraction of badge collecting is the fact that so many of these little works of art are Brummagem made! Thanks again for posting things.

Best regards

Martin

[bewley]

Originally Posted by 'Ticker' Riley

Hi Peter

Many thanks for putting this news article up about Firmin – it’s good to see an English company still going strong, especially in the current economic climate and with stiff overseas competition. It can’t be easy for a military accoutrement manufacturer these days, and it would be sad to see the Firmin name go the same way as so many of the old badge making firms. As a Brummie in exile I still like to stay in touch with what’s going on in my native city, and for me part of the attraction of badge collecting is the fact that so many of these little works of art are Brummagem made! Thanks again for posting things.

Best regards

Martin

Sorry to burst your bubble Martin, every single piece of metalwork on this contract will be made in one factory in.....
you've guessed it, China. The Brum address is just an office!

[John Mulcahy]

On a related note, see the following link.

http://www.publictenders.net/tender/63840

It is the contract award to Firmin and The Wydean Weaving company for badges and buttons.

['Ticker' Riley]

Hello bewley

An interesting claim – are they really all going to be made in China!? You must have some ‘insider’ information, so what exactly do they do in the factory in Newtown then? This is what Firmin say they make there, at least according to their website:

“Firmin's UK factory, which employs 75 people, specialises in the manufacture of a diverse range of uniform equipment and accessories, including: buttons, badges, swords, medals, shoulder boards, braid, aiguillettes, sashes, belts, canes, swagger sticks, batons, berets, service caps and horse furniture.”

If everything for the new MOD contract is indeed to be made in China, then that’s obviously a great shame. Still, as my badge collecting is of items from the pre ‘made in the far east’ era, then thankfully I can still revel in the craftsmanship of England’s Second City!

Regards

Martin

[grey_green_acorn]

Today's Daily Telegraph had news that the MOD contract for Army socks has gone to a Company in Northern Ireland but the socks will be made in China.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...ternative.html