Bespoke castings since 1862

Founded in 1862 by 3 Lanes that all lived on Smith Street Stockton; William Lane described as a ‘Brass finisher’, John Lane a ‘Brass Moulder’ and James Lane a ‘Blacksmith’. The original Foundry was located on Middle Street, Stockton.

In 1907 the business relocated to the current site on Forty Foot Road, Middlesbrough. The original buildings were timber framed with 3 coke furnaces built into the floor, in those days there were no cranes, everything was lifted by hand. The new site was in the heartland of the Iron & Steel making district of north Middlesbrough, and many of these nearby businesses were everyday customers for what was described as a ‘breakdown & jobbing foundry’.

A new foundry building was constructed on site in 1939, the original foundry is now used as a store for patterns. This is a brick building with 7 coke furnaces in the floor, these were still used (though only occasionally) until 2001.

The company remained in the Lane family until 1976, when it was sold to neighbouring Steel Business, Parson & Crosland, and descendant Roy Lane remained with the company until 1984. John Webb was appointed General Manager of the company when it was taken over, and in that year he took on Stuart Duffy and Dave Stuart as 15 year old apprentices, Stuart is now a Director and shareholder of William Lane and remains ably supported by Dave.

The fundamental process remains largely as it was, however there has been significant investment in recent years. We have installed 2 new electric induction Furnaces, and bought new cranes, shot-blasting and sand mixing equipment.

At the end of 2007, parent company Parson & Crosland was sold to the Murray Group, however the Shareholders retained William Lane and it became a stand alone Company once more. Edward Bilcliffe now works in the Company as MD and majority shareholder.

At one time there were circa 140 Businesses in the Middlesbrough district described as Foundries, William Lane is the only one still operating today.