Mamod has undergone some significant changes over the years. From its humble beginnings in the 1930s right up to the modern day it has changed hands a number of times. Following on from our look back through the history of the company we now look at modern day Mamod and its experience under the ownership of the Terry family.
The 1980s and 1990s saw a huge change in the UK with new technology sweeping across the nation. The mobile phone was becoming a more prevalent accessory for the average person, in music electro was being replaced by Britpop, while in sport England was gearing up for the inaugural Premiership season, something which would become ingrained in the everyday lives of people all over the country.
For Mamod the early 1990s proved a critical stage in its development. The past decade had been a turbulent one with the company changing hands numerous times and what it needed now was stability. Enter the Terry family who saved the firm from the brink of oblivion and set out a new plan to restore its reputation.
The family was keen to go 'back to basics' and, following the purchase in 1992, spent the next seven years doing what Mamod does best – working on engines. Prior to this time the quality of the firm's engines had dropped to an all time low and the Terry family was determined to bring Mamod back to its former glory and drive it forward.
After first being relocated to Birmingham in 1996 Mamod moved once again, this time to Smethwick in the West Midlands. The fruits of the company's labour began to show in 1999 when the SP5 (SE4) twin cylinder stationary engine was reintroduced after first being released between 1979 and 1984.
Prior to the dawn of the millennium production at the Smethwick factory got fully underway and soon many models were coming off the factory floor. The SPS range got a facelift to coincide with the new century and was fitted with a dynamo to become the SPSD. This was a hit with schools as the engine acted as an educational tool to demonstrate how steam could be converted into electricity.
Mamod celebrated the year 2000 with the launch of the Millennium Blue Bus limiting it to a run of just 150 while just a year later the Le Mans Racing Car was launched. This twin cylinder racing car was also released a remote controlled version as well.
The Terry's time in charge of Mamod has not been without its setbacks as in 2002, following the release of the Golden Jubilee Locomotive, the previous owners declared that all stock and tooling at the Birmingham factory had gone missing. This came as a huge blow to the company as it meant a new method of building locomotives needed to be found.
However, out of the darkness came light as Mamod decided to start from scratch thus giving birth to the "new age Mamod loco range". This was a much more sophisticated type of engine than before and meant the design phase could take place in house and improve the quality for economy.
Under the stewardship of the Terry family, the company has gone from strength to strength and has a bright future ahead.