British Pressed Panels (B P P)

Hi everybody I am new to this site but wanted to say first off that I think it's a really super example of local heritage and history enthusiasts pooling knowledge to enhance and celebrate local history. I have been attempting to no avail to find out any information at all about a company known as B P P Ltd, Coventry. The only bit of info I have to go in is that they were engaged in industrial metalwork / engineering. Other than a lamp I own that was made by them I think around the 1930's I have no idea what other metal products they made. The lamp components are made of aluminium and were traditionally manufactured through metal spinning. I would be so very very grateful for any information at all anyone can shed on B P P Ltd. Kind regards and sincere thanks in advance for any info you can provide, nicola

British Pressed Panels. I can just about remember my father driving for them, but know nothing about the company if it's the same one you mention.

The 1937 Telephone Directory has British Pressed Panel Co at Quinton Road

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Finally the mystery becomes a little clearer. I don't suppose you know if they are still in business or recall anything at all about your father's employers, family name etc? Thank you, thank you, thank you again. Any additional info greatly received, nicola xxxx

Hi all. For quite a while now I have been attempting to research a historic company in Coventry called B P P, Coventry. A couple of extremely helpful members have suggested that it may well be British Pressed Panels, who from the 1937 phone book appear to have been operating out of Quinton Road in 1937. I own a lamp produced by them that looks to be from the 1930s so I can presume they were engaged in general engineering and lighting manufacture. Perhaps someone might know where/ if there is an index of Historic Businesses in Coventry? Also perhaps someone might know if the Quinton Road area suffered heavily in the Blitz in 1940 ? I am extremely keen to find out more about the company and hopefully uncover the name of the company owners in order to undertake some further research. Any thoughts, info or assistance at all would be so very gratefully received. Yours hopefully Nicola

Just had a quick look and it appears that BPP made the elephant up the pole in Broadgate, and they seem to have made a wide variety of products in its time

Are you sure? - this suggests it was Motor Panels "At the time of its installation in March 1948, the 56 foot (17m) high aluminium mast surmounted by a 5 foot (1.5m) high elephant and castle was referred to as the 'Coventry Standard' and was designed to have flags flown from the yard arms. It was one of the earliest signs of the post-war reconstruction of the city centre and represented the products of local industry. The mast was constructed by Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd, the elephant and castle by Motor Panels (Coventry) Ltd, the aluminium and gold colouring was supplied by John Astley and Sons Ltd and flags supplied by Holbrooks (Coventry) Ltd."

It would appear that BPP also did panels for the "Wellington" and other aircraft. In July 1941 it was stated that they only received slight damage. This comes from the Tate's report of bomb damage in Coventry. It is a wicked report, good reading.

Thank you again for all of the info. Midland Red - thank you again NormK - am I right in thinking you believe BPP and Motor Panels Ltd, Coventry, to be one and the same company? scrutiny - thank you. I don't suppose you have any idea how I could find out about company ownership of BPP, when it was dissolved etc, presuming it has beendissolved? Kind regards, nicola

I was just going by this

Thanks very much NormK for clarification. I will look forward to hopefully unravelling the story further with assistance from other members. There is nothing like a historical research challenge to get the brain buzzing. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. nicola

Ah! I remember this - I even used it to label my photo of the elephant! So, is there any relationship between BPP and MPL, or is one statement incorrect?

There's a link here for Motor Panels, if that's the company that is being referred to, I can't see any sign of an amalgamation with BPP. History of Motor Panels

From the same site : this!

I don't think there was any relationship between the two companies, maybe they were both involved in the manufacture of the elephant and castle. One probably made it and the other gilded it. One site will say BPP made it and another will say CMP did. My guess is BPP made it because it was more 'up their street' as opposed to CMP.