» 1874 |
Joseph Lucas was established as a manufacturer
of ship lamps |
»
1879 |
Lucas started to supply Europe’s infant
automotive industry |
»
1897 |
The Lucas business became a registered company
–
Joseph Lucas Ltd was born |
»
1900 |
The ‘Cleveland Cap Screw Company’
was established:
a manufacturer of cap screws for automotive engine valves |
»
1902 |
Joseph Lucas Died aged 68. His Son Harry
took over the Company and the business flourished with new innovations,
new properties and the purchase of new companies |
»
1905 |
The Cleveland Cap Screw Company and the Thompson
Electric Welding Company were acquired by entrepreneur Alexander
Winton |
»
1915 |
The company was renamed as ‘Steel Products’
and became the nations leading valve manufacturer for cars and
planes, and steering components for cars |
»
1921 |
Steel Products introduced the revolutionary
‘Thompson Silcrome Valve’, which offered 100 times
the life of competitor valves |
»
1923 |
Steel Products entered the replacement parts
market with the creation of ‘Thompson Products’ |
»
1926 |
Steel Products introduced the revolutionary
‘Thompson Silcrome Valve’, which offered 100 times
the life of competitor valves |
»
1927 |
In North America, Kelsey Wheel Company began
supplying wooden wheels for Henry Ford’s Model T from
its Detroit, Michigan, plant. In 1927 it merged with the Hayes
wheel company to form Kelsey-Hayes wheel company |
»
1928 |
Kelsey Hayes enters the braking business,
supplying mechanical brakes to Ford. Other customers included
Cadillac, Hudson and Studebaker |
»
1943 |
Lucas acquired Girling, allowing the company
to expand into brakes, braking systems and clutch actuation
equipment |
»
1952 |
Lucas introduced the industry’s first
disc brakes |
»
1958 |
TRW became a major player in the aerospace
and aircraft industries, primarily through Thompson Products
Inc.’s merger with the Ramo-Wooldridge
Corporation in California. This merger resulted in the Thompson
– Ramo- Wooldridge Corporation – the genesis of
the name TRW
Kelsey Hayes develops the speed sensor later used in cruise
control and anti lock braking systems (ABS) |
»
1959 |
Kelsey Hayes develops the speed sensor later
used in cruise control and anti lock braking systems (ABS) |
»
1960 |
The first Lucas factory was built in Koblenz,
Germany, to produce brakes for Girling. The company also acquired
Byrce Berger this year |
»
1965 |
Kelsey Hayes introduces the first disc braking
system in North America |
»
1967 |
TRW developed rack and pinion steering (and
remains the World leader today) |
»
1968 |
TRW acquired Ehrenreich and Cie., a German
producer of steering systems which strengthened TRW’s
position in Germany. The same year, TRW introduced the electronically
controlled anti-lock braking system for the Lincoln Mark IV |
»
1972 |
TRW acquired German manufacturer Repa, introducing
it to the rising business of occupant restraint systems |
»
1974 |
Lucas Industries was established. This year
was a significant milestone for the Lucas image – the
renowned Lucas flash logo replaced the ‘King of
the Road’ Lion, the Girling ‘G’ and the CAV
logo, and was introduced as a starting point to consolidate
the three brand names |
»
1975 |
Lucas Industries introduced the Colette caliper
– the best known component of its kind |
»
1987 |
Kelsey Hayes launches two wheel ABS system |
»
1989 |
TRW delivered the first complete frontal
air bag and sensor system |
»
1991 |
TRW entered into a global agreement with
Federal Mogul for a 10 year period, allowing them to
distribute TRW branded products in the aftermarket
Lucas Aftermarket Operations (LAO) was formed, and the aftermarket
business became one single entity.
Lucas was now the sole name for all products in its portfolio. |
»
1996 |
Lucas merged with the Varity Corporation
to form Lucas Varity PLC |
»
1999 |
TRW Inc acquired Lucas Varity.
TRW sold its diesel business to Delphi
with the rights to use the Lucas brand
name for a five year period. |
»
2001 |
TRW sold its aerospace business to
Goodrich and Northrop Grumman |
»
2002 |
The ten year agreement with Federal
Mogul ends and TRW regains the
aftermarket rights to the TRW brand.
TRW Automotive Aftermarket launches
a steering and suspension aftermarket
programme across Europe.
TRW launches the industry’s first electric
park brake system on the Audi A8.
TRW’s Adaptive Cruise Control is
launched on the Volkswagen Phaeton. |
»
2004 |
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
(NYSE:TRW) became a public company
through an Initial Public Offering (IPO)
of common stock. TRW Automotive
Aftermarket launches TRW Auto
Service, Id and Exponentia. |
» 2005 |
TRW regained the rights to sell diesel
products under the Lucas name. TRW purchased Dalphimetal,
manufacturer of airbags and
steering wheels. |
»
2006 |
TRW Automotive Aftermarket brings Europe and Asia Pacific activities under one banner |