The History of Alcad in
Redditch 1918 - 1993
Alcad History is part of my Explore Redditch group of websites Designed, maintained and administered by Anthony Green
Hunt End
The Hunt End site was acquired in 1918 and production began in 1920. They manufactured only the nickel-cadmium batteries based on the Swedish Nife technology.
Union Street - Beginnings
Britannia Batteries began in 1929 in Union Street manufacturing lead acid, dry cells, nickel-cadmium and nickel-iron cells. It had a disastrous fire during WW2 but
the workforce had the factory up and running again very quickly and both the Union Street and Hunt End works did much for the war effort.
In 1947 both sites were merged to become Alkaline Batteries Ltd operating from the Union Street Site
Union Street - Full Ahead!
From the end of the second world war the Redditch factory expanded and introduced many new products. It was a time of innovation and change.
However, following two changes of ownership the Redditch site ceased to operate in 1993, bringing to an end 75 years of alkaline battery manufacture in Redditch.
From Closure to the Present Time
The Redditch site was closed in 1993 and new development began in 2002 when B&Q opened a new warehouse.
This was followed by further developments.
The History of Alcad
in Redditch
1918 - 1993
Hunt End
The Hunt End site was acquired in 1918 and
production began in 1920. They manufactured
only the nickel-cadmium batteries based on the
Swedish Nife technology.
Union Street - Beginnings
Britannia Batteries began in 1929 in Union Street
manufacturing lead acid, dry cells, nickel-
cadmium and nickel-iron cells. It had a disastrous
fire during WW2 but the workforce had the
factory up and running again very quickly and
both the Union Street and Hunt End works did
much for the war effort.
In 1947 both sites were merged to become
Alkaline Batteries Ltd operating from the Union
Street Site
Union Street - Full Ahead!
From the end of the second world war the
Redditch factory expanded and introduced many
new products. It was a time of innovation and
change.
However, following two changes of ownership the
Redditch site ceased to operate in 1993, bringing
to an end 75 years of alkaline battery
manufacture in Redditch.
From Closure to the Present Time
The Redditch site was closed in 1993 and new
development began in 2002 when B&Q opened a
new warehouse.
This was followed by further developments.
Site in 2010 (Bing Maps view)
