|
When a company spans a century and a half, and is steeped in local history, it is an unending though rather pleasant task to unearth photographs and documents which can be collated so we can piece together the story so far.
The early chapters of the on going TA Henn & Son saga are sketchy to say the least. Of course, the company was not originally referred to by that name as the TA stands for Thomas Austin, the grandson of the Silas, who it is thought, founded the company in the 1840's. Remarkably, a surviving indenture tells us that Silas was a clock maker in Tipton, a village on the outskirts of Dudley, in 1847. In-depth research has revealed that his first shop was located in Netherton, West Midlands, a discovery made easier by that fact that he also dealt in print due to his numerous writings on the subject of Methodism.
Silas had seven children, four girls and three boys, but little has been uncovered regarding the career of his successor, John Wesley, who piloted the company in the direction of Wolverhampton, and it is not until we start to examine the life and times of Thomas Austin Henn born in 1870, that the present day story starts to unfold, for it was he who established the company's first premises in Princess Street. As the company photographs suggest, 40 Princess Street was rather small and cumbersome but served a valuable role in establishing the company's location and, for that matter, its name. Ironically one of the few Henns not named after the John Wesley (1703-91), Thomas Austin did share the revivalist's vision and values and implemented them both in business and in a political career that took in the positions of councillor, Health Committee Chairman and Mayor of Wolverhampton. The champion of the poor and oppressed, his initiatives led to the clearing of slums and were recognised formally when he was awarded the Freedom of Wolverhampton.
 The next chapter was written by Thomas's son. Thomas Wesley, someone who could well have lost his life at an early age. During the First World War he was a radio operator in the Navy. One day, whilst trying to step from one ship to another a gulf emerged between the two vessels and Thomas Wesley slipped away from sight. Fortunately, his absence was noticed and shipmates dragged him back on to the deck. Had it not been for their heroism, we might never have seen the great building he built at 38-41 Princess Street in 1935.
By this time, advertisements in the local newspapers had made TA Henn & Son a household name, although the jewellers made the news columns of the Birmingham Post in the mid 1940's when Thomas Wesley foiled what he described as a "smash and grab" raid by accosting a getaway driver whilst two constables wrestled with a second man, forcing him to abandon 42 rings valued up to as much as £50.00 each.
And so we enter the period which for many would be described as the first phase of TA Henn & Son's golden years. Thomas Wesley's son, Alan Wesley Henn, took his place in the burgeoning family business in 1950, and after a period abroad returned to Britain to take the reins as Managing Director. The world economy seemed to be more stable in those days and within a decade the business was too large for its town centre site, hence premises were acquired in Snow Hill and Chapel Ash, and the company expanded into Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Wellington.
In a similar way, Alan was to prove that his business acumen could not be contained within four walls.
 From the mid-70's onwards, invitations arrived to be the chairman or director of numerous national companies and trade associations, although Alan's ability to pursue more than one career at a time had already been demonstrated, as he had been appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1959 at 29 years of age.
Only the lean years of recession could put a halt to TA Henn & Son's progress, and that it did, forcing the company to abandon one branch after another until Alan, along with his own son, Christopher John Wesley Henn, gave up hope of merging with other companies to gain economies of scale advantages, deciding instead to return to the one branch family business format that weathered the economic storm with the intrepidity and determination of its founding father.
 Indeed, Silas would have been extremely proud of the way his descendants brought the business into the 1990's. The increasingly larger role played by John ushered in a new era of product development, watches and long service awards becoming more of a speciality than before. Of course, TA Henn & Son stayed true to its heritage and continued to make original silver - candlesticks, teapots - having been silversmith of the Worshipful Company of Engineers for many years.
John is now the Managing Director and Alan retired in 1998.
In 1997, to celebrate its 150th anniversary, TA Henn & Son collaborated with the Express and Star newspaper to find its oldest surviving piece of work. Letters flooded in, a ruby and diamond encrusted 18 carat gold ring from 1905 the eventual winner. Further evidence of the company's longevity and enduring appeal is not required.
|
