Company History

On 1st December 1910 the company was moved to a new purpose built factory in Aylesbury, where it manufactured rivets for over 90 years, starting with 12 heading machines and 24 slotting machines working around the clock. These were hard times with each machine area having only one gas jet for light and the machine operators having to mix up their own lubricants from a mix of lard oil, engine oil, soft soap and hot water.

During the build up to the First World War the company expanded rapidly producing millions of number 8 and 9 oval head rivets for use in harness and saddlery work for the cavalry. Tea chests were another continuous order as well as supplying rivets for vehicle tyre studs, gas masks and soldiers boots. All employees of the company were exempt from military service because of the extreme demand for rivets.

The Second World War also contributed to the growth of the company, being the major producer of aircraft rivets, working day and night and weekends year in year out. Luckily the factory escaped any damage during the five years of air raids.

In the 1950’s the company was the largest employer in Aylesbury with over 1000 people working within its extensive complex. Through to the early 1980’s the company enjoying the majority share of the rivet and rivet setting machine market, both foot operated and fully automatic.

The rivet machines were produced in batches and sold, rented or given with volume rivet supply contracts.

Many of the companies using Bif & Tub’s range of ‘Aylesbury’ rivet setting machines were at the forefront of their time with increased productivity and quality standards.

In the early 1960’s Bif & Tub launched a new Company Aylesbury Automation Limited which would build on in house skills and develop Factory Automation Equipment. For many years the two companies ran side by side but as automation took off they were merged and become one company under the Aylesbury Automation Limited name. In the late 90’s the company had 5
owners in 3 years culminating in a management buy out in May 2001.We have since relocated to more appropriate premises and have a workforce of 37. We still design and
manufacture the full range of Automation Equipment and Rivet Setting Machines but no longer manufacture rivets.

As the name The Bifurcated & Tubular Rivet Company, or B & TR for short, is still one of the best known within the industry and is synonymous with quality and value for money the name was revived early in 2006.

In the last year we have developed two new machines to add to our existing range of ‘original design’ equipment. The fully pneumatic style 153, specifically designed for the brake shoe industry, but already proving to be very versatile for applications such as security grille and specialist torch assembly and our Hydro-Pneumatic riveter capable of self pierce applications up to 6mm thick.

The Bifurcated and Tubular Rivet Company is the original and only manufacturer of all the equipment shown on this web site.

But like a Phoenix from the ashes we are also a modern, dynamic and enthusiastic company capable of meeting the new and diverse applications of an ever-changing market.

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