User:Bobrutland/sandbox

Rowlett started during the Second World War as manufacturers, supplying the Ministry of Defence. Their first toaster was a six slot commercial version, was developed and produced by the founder of Rowlett, Ted Rutland (1913 – 2004) who was a qualified engineer & toolmaker, in 1946 at their Staines factory (Middlesex), followed a year later in 1947, by Rowlett’s Household 2 Slot Toaster. Spares for these toasters were still available until 1995. Rowlett soon out grew the Staines factory and was moved to Burnt Oak, Edgware and production was expanded to include a whole range of toys and domestic appliances. For example....bicycles, electric fires, smoker's stands, clothes dryers and many other items. Manufacture continued at Edgware until 1957, when a disastrous fire destroyed the factory workshops and stores. The company relocated to Twickenham, Middlesex. In 1966 Rowlett moved to their Weybridge site where production started in earnest concentrating on continuous improvement of the quality and extension of their Regent Range of commercial toasters and expanding their market to over 70 countries throughout the world. They also manufactured a gold plated classic toaster and the World’s longest 34 slot 6 ft premier toaster as in the Guinness Book of Records, and introduced their exclusive top of the range models, the Esprit.

In 2002 Rowlett merged with R V Rutland (UK) Ltd, owned by Ted's son Bob Rutland, and production was moved to new modern factories in Bookham, Surrey.