Horstmann, a history.

Horstmann Controls is the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of controls for domestic heating systems and advanced metering equipment, offering a range of state-of-the-art solutions.

1853. Gustav Horstmann who was born 1828 in Westphalia, Germany, and studied in Paris under Dejean (a watchmaker from the school of the famous Breguet), emigrated to England.
He was the founder of the Horstmann family in Bath.

1854. Gustav Horstmann set up a clock making and retailing business (later G. Horstmann and Sons) in Bennet Street, Bath. He was a prolific inventor, and apart from his horological skills, a pioneer in measurement and thermostatic control.

1893. Gustav died. By this time he had about 100 patents to his name.

1904. The Solar Dial was patented.
This was the first dial which automatically altered ‘ON’ & ‘OFF’ times each day to follow the varying times of dusk and dawn through the year. It gave Horstmann a worldwide technical lead.
Foundation of The Horstmann Gear Company Ltd. Sidney Horstmann (Gustav’s youngest son) designed an ingenious gear box for cars and motor cycles. It had an infinitely variable gear ratio - using expanding pinions. Sidney, together with his brothers Albert, Hermann, Otto, and brother-in-law William Edgar, amongst others, founded The Horstmann Gear Company Limited to exploit it. Both the ‘shop’ and the new company were now at 10, Union Street. The gearbox was not a success, but Sidney went on to make cars in his own business, also in Bath, producing about 1500 Horstmann Cars between 1913 and 1929, incorporating many novel features in them. Altogether about 10 still exist. The gas controllers were now so popular, production was transferred from G Horstmann & Sons to The Horstmann Gear Company Ltd.

1914. Horstmann started making screw and limit gauges for military production, becoming a leading UK Gauge manufacturer until the business was sold in 1990.

1920. The slump caused diversifications into products such as:
gardening equipment (the Dandy Dibber)
domestic clocks
mousetraps (contract with Woolworth's)
Main markets were in street lighting, gas ignition (3V glowcoil igniters used on gas lights, cookers and other appliances), general purpose time switches, and gauges

1939. War production included:
gauges
astro compass
mine switch clock
radio transmitter for direction finding

1955. Veterinary Equipment was introduced with a Bloodless Castrator and a unique spring action Earmarker. The earmarker was very successful, the business being sold in the late ‘80s.
Another interesting post war product was The Horstmann Bee Cage - used for transporting queens by post and introducing them into the hive.