In 1920, Leonard Frank Pike left his grandparents home in Whitehart lane, Totenham, London and moved to Nottingham. Employment was gained at Ericssons - now GPT Plessey - working in the magneto department. Home was a rented room in Beeston High road, where during his spare time, he would repair magnetos for a growing group of his own customers. During the 1921/2 recession, Ericssons temporarily closed the magneto shop, but due to his value to the company, Leonard was found a position in the drawing office on a reduced wage of 28s6d per week. This was not enough to cover his outgoings of 30s, so Leonard took the plunge & set up a magneto repair business, with a partner, on Beck street near the Palais de danse, naming the firm Midland Magneto. He soon bought out his partner & in 1926 moved to larger premises on Broad street. Ever expanding the workforce, five years later another move was necessary, taking up some of the railway arches on Trent street. In 1937 work was started on a purpose built 7000 square foot workshop at a cost of £8000. The move was made in December 1939 into Trent Works, our present site, with an outstanding mortgage of just £3500.

Today - Midland Magento is considered to be the leading vehicle electrical and repair specialists in the Midlands. We have come a long way since Leonard left home and are sure he would be proud Midland Magneto today.