Company History

  • Thomas Damby Cross founded his first workshop in 1870 specialising in supplying the gun trade with high precision parts.
  • 1893 production moved to a 3-storey factory. Introduction of bicycle components: freewheels.
  • The Morse Chain Company was founded in 1894 also for the manufacture of bicycles in Pennsylvania, USA. The company moved into production of inverted tooth chain drives.
  • Established a manufacturing plant in London in 1907, moving to the new Garden City of Letchworth, Hertfordshire, in 1918. The product range in the UK was developed to include Roller Chain and Sprockets, Couplings, Torque Limiters, Sprag Clutches and Timing Belt Drives, whilst in the USA by acquisition Morse also included the Denver Gearbox range and the Sealmaster Bearing products.
  • 1924 TD Cross became a private Limited Company.
  • 1950 moved to current premises in Shady Lane, Birmingham and developed into production of a popular range of roller chain sprockets and gearing. The competitive pricing and quality of product soon established the company as a major supplier to both Agricultural and Industrial markets.
  • Cross+Morse was established in 1984 through the amalgamation of two long standing and well respected companies in the Power Transmission Industry, T D Cross and Morse Chain.
  • In 1987 Cross+Morse closed the Letchworth plant and centralised all production at the 10,000 sq metre factory in Great Barr, Birmingham where current production of Roller Chains, Sprockets, Gears, Timing Belt Pulleys, Torque Limiters, Sprag Clutches and other specialised power transmission equipment is undertaken.
  • In 1996 the Company was bought out by its management team, and rapidly began expanding its manufacturing capability, particularly in the field of special and adapted standard products.
  • Cross+Morse maintains to this day its strong reputation as a provider of complete Power Transmission Solutions from the heart of England to the world.