History
The Early Years (1885-1914)

1885: E. G. Browne and J. C. Margetson acquired an established rubber manufacturing business that was run out of a nearly derelict cloth mill

1889: The partners bought another cloth mill and the surrounding land at Melksham which became the Corporate Headquarters for over 100 years

1890: Formed a Limited Company named "The Avon India Rubber Company Limited"

  • Solid tires and rubber components for railways such as springs, buffers, conveyor belting and vacuum brake pipes were produced
  • Sales for the first year amounted to £15,265
1906: Sales exceeded £100,000

1906: Avon car tires were advertised for the first time - in the magazine Autocar.