J Hudson & Co Whistles Ltd

We always keep it original. The name for a whole genre was derived from the first two products, which were both world firsts. People didn’t buy whistles; they bought Metropolitans and Thunderers. Pioneers who created an enterprise that set the bar for innovation in every decade of its 15-decade existence. We’ve had five generations at the helm and haven’t lost a thing. There is still a visible social component to the business, as demonstrated by the establishment of a working men’s club that supported an orphanage in the early years, as well as outreach to local schools. The sense of place, Hockley, Birmingham the City of 1001 trades. The desire to make a difference in the lives of the people who work here and the wider society. Everything revolves around the products. Waves of innovation, ingenuity, and change continually reshaped each generation’s solid and stable foundation. A usefulness that saw ACME Whistles on duty in two world wars, that never stopped making strong blows for law and order, that conducted trams, saved lives and called in reluctant children from the playground. There is a legacy that continues to grow, something that will endure beyond its lifetime. Among the most important factors, the foundation of everything we do is our determination to be The ACME. An ancient word with a timeless meaning, the aim is to be the best and most highly developed it can be.