Fred Duncombe Ltd was originally formed by Alfred Duncombe in the 1920's, based in Lane Head Bridge, Willenhall, manufacturing small lock mechanisms in brass for tills and cupboards. During World War II, the company made various products for the war effort, during which time Alfred Duncombe also became a JP and was given the MBE for his work with the Auxiliary Fire Service.
During the late 1950's, manufacturing had changed from lock mechanisms to simple pressings. Alfred later took over Sawbridge & Hughes and Walter Grant who at the time manufactured Suffolk Latches. During the mid 1960's Ray Ward, who owned Bloxwich Aluminium, merged companies with Alfred Duncombe and they started to manufacture builder's ironmongery, such as Tower Bolts, Hasp & Staples, and Suffolk Latches. Alfred Duncombe died in 1973 at the age of 73 and Ray Ward's son, Roy continued to manage the company. In 1978 the company relocated to its current address in Progress Drive, Cannock, Staffordshire occupying one of the units.
Roy Ward made Fred Duncombe Limited, a leading manufacturer of builders ironmongery. Roy retired in 1990 almost two years after selling the company to the Chamberlin and Hill Group.
Chamberlin & Hill were a Foundry Group looking to expand the group by acquisition in other areas that would not have a direct link with the foundry industry. Mike Richards was appointed Managing Director for Fred Duncombe Ltd by C & H. Mike knew with ironmongery being imported by many UK Companies, that the company would not survive from the threat of imports from India if they did not start to invest in a new product range.
In 1992 the Exidor Panic & Emergency Exit Hardware range was launched, which proved to be the growth of the company. The Exidor Range is now sold all over the World including, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Holland, Norway.
C & H acquired Webb Lloyd Limited in 1998 when Tony Webb and Geoff Lloyd decided to retire. C & H expanded the building at Cannock in 2001 and Webb Lloyd was merged into Fred Duncombe Ltd.
In September 2001 Mike Richards retired and Martin Emm took over as the Managing Director. Today the company employs 60 people and promote three brands of products, Duncombe Builders Ironmonger, Exidor Panic & Emergency Exit Hardware and Webb Lloyd Architectural Door Furniture.
Fred Duncombe Ltd is a member of the (DHF) Doors & Hardware Federation and is an Associate Member of the Guide of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI). The DHF is made up of UK Door and Door Hardware manufacturers who have representatives at a number of CEN committees in Europe, whose aim are to promote and contribute to Standards. The company manufactures to a system which is approved to ISO 9000.
The Exidor Panic & Emergency Exit Hardware carries the CE mark, having been mechanically tested to EN 179 and EN 1125. The Exidor range has also been fire rated for use on Timber and Steel Doors.
Products in the Exidor 700 Series have also been used in the Burglary Resistance Test LPS 1175.