Poole Waite & Co Ltd – Historic timeline

A partnership was formed by Mr Poole and Mr Frederick Wille Waite in 1935 when they started selling ironmongery and hardware to local authorities, building and construction companies with samples in suitcases around London and the Home Counties.

1935
1939

Our new warehouse and trade counter opens at 129 Grays Inn Road,
London, WC1.

The start of World War II.

Poole Waite & Co Ltd starts supplying the Ministry Of Defence rivets for the manufacture of planes used during the war.

1942
1945

The end of World War II.

Queen Alexandra Mary becomes Queen of England (Elizabeth II).

1952
1961

Launch of the Jaguar E-Type at the Geneva Motor Show, which at the time was the fastest production car in the world (150mph).

Poole Waite & Co Ltd moves to 3 Clerkenwell Road in the City of London.

1965
1966

England wins the World Cup, beating West Germany 4-2 at Wembley.

Concorde made its first transatlantic crossing.

1973
1976

James Hunt becomes Formula One World Champion.

Mr Frederick Wille Waite retires and sells the business to the company accountant, Mr John Christou Mamas.

1979
1984

The miners strike.

Alex Mamas (Son of John Mamas) becomes managing director of
Poole Waite & Co Ltd, supported by his mother and Co-director Mrs Freyja Mamas

1985
1986

Poole Waite & Co Ltd introduces the Normbau coloured ironmongery range and is awarded the contracts to supply both the McDonalds restaurant chain and Mecca bookmakers.  This allowed for the rapid expansion of the business, cementing us as one of the market leaders in architectural ironmongery.

Demolition of the Berlin Wall.

1989
1990

Nelson Mandela released after serving 27 years in prison.

Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

1997
2004

The price of petrol - 77.9p (price per litre)
VAT rate - 17.5%
Average house price - £177,299

Poole Waite & Co Ltd starts its metal fabrication and spraying services located in Bexley, Kent.

2006
2012

Poole Waite & Co Ltd is proud to supply the Olympic Village and other areas for the London 2012 Olympic games.

VE Day commemorating 75 years since the end of World War II.

2020
2021

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passes away peacefully at the age of 99.

HM Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-living and longest-reigning British monarch, passes away on 8th September at the age of 96.

2022
Feb 2023

Poole Waite & Co Ltd starts to remanufacture the Traditional Briton “B” and “C” T-shaped door closers (Patent 621457/47), including the introduction of a Matt Black finish.

Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III takes place at Westminster Abbey, the first Coronation in nearly 70 years.

May 2023
July 2023

Poole Waite is awarded the prestigious contract to refinish the external metal facias of the British Library.

Poole Waite starts supplying newly manufactured Charles Collinge hinges.

Dec 2023
Feb 2024

Our new Eco-friendly ironmongery ranges launch in February 2024.

Our new, purpose-built showroom opens at 8 Charterhouse Buildings on Goswell Road in the City of London.

April 2024
July 2024

After 14 years of Conservative government, Labour wins the General Election in a landslide victory.

Our Showroom, Specifier Hub and Knowledge Centre is now open for viewings, CPDs and Lunch & Learns.

2024

Poole Waite & Co Ltd is proud to still be trading after 89 years and would like to thank everyone for their support.

Copyright © 2024 Poole Waite & Co. Ltd.