History of GKN Freight Services

GKN dates back to 1759 when the Dowlais Iron Company was set up in the village of Dowlais near Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales.

The Guest family became involved in the business in 1767 when John Guest was appointed as manager of Dowlais. His grandson eventually became sole owner in 1851. The Dowlais Iron Company grew to be the largest iron works in the world, operating 18 blast furnaces and employing 7300 people. The business was the first licensee of the Bessemer process and in 1857 completed the construction of the world’s most powerful rolling mill. Its first production of Bessemer steel was cast in 1865.

GKN was incorporated as Guest, Keen and Company in 1900 on the merger of the Dowlais Iron Company with Arthur Keen’s Nut and Bolt Company, a business that was started in 1856 in Smethwick, England. In 1902, the company acquired Nettlefolds, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of screws and fasteners, a business that also started in Smethwick in 1854. Following the acquisition of Nettlefolds, the company changed its name to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds.

With the joining together of these three constituent businesses, the Company was one of the largest manufacturing businesses in the world, involved in every process from coal and ore extraction, to iron and steel making and finally to finished products including the nuts, bolts, screws and fasteners for which it is famous.

Although once renowned as a steelmaker and manufacturer of screws and fasteners, the Group’s focus changed during the 20th Century. In the course of the 20th century, the Group acquired many famous industrial brands including: Joseph Sankey, Birfield and, Westland (in the UK); Walterscheid, UniCarden and Lohr & Bromkamp; and a number of Sinter Metal companies. Major elements of all of these companies remain in GKN today.

The Group today is focused two core areas: automotive and aerospace.

Following the exit from its traditional businesses, in 1986 the name of the Group was changed to GKN plc.

Today the Group remains a world leader. Technology and engineering from GKN is at the heart of the vehicles and aircraft produced by the world's leading automotive, off highway and aerospace manufacturers.

GKN Freight Services was founded in 1975 with the objective of harnessing the buying power of the Group in the freight market. The company was incorporated in 1989. Since the beginning, GKN Freight Services has provided a wide range of freight management services to both GKN and other customers.

Focused on providing value-added services, the company opened offices and warehouses at key locations, which underpin its Logistr@ns freight management methodology and facilitate optimal customer service levels. The company has established itself as an important provider of international and domestic freight management services, recognised by the industry as an innovative and quality-focused service provider.