From humble beginnings to a thriving manufacturing operation, 2025 marks 45 years of trading for JDR Products. The company has been built on innovation, resilience and strong family values.
JDR was Founded in 1980 by Ken Wharrad, driven by a simple love of making things. One of the first machines Ken built was a rolling mill for producing butt-seamed tube. Working tirelessly in his spare time while on shift at British Aluminium, he built the machine in a wooden garage at his parents’ house. This allowed him to produce TV aerials and led to the launch of Aerial Supplies, laying the foundations for what would become a long-standing manufacturing business.
As the business grew, it soon outgrew the wooden garage and moved into its first dedicated site in Redditch which happened to be an old air raid shelter. A further move to larger premises followed shortly after. This expansion coincided with the CB radio boom, which significantly increased the demand for aerial products. With the company gaining momentum, Ken left his shift work to focus on the business full time. His wife, Rosemary, joined him, managing the administration while raising their young family, making it a true family enterprise.
Ken’s inventive spirit meant the workshop was always alive with ideas. He continued building custom machinery to support the expanding product range, creating tools to solve specific manufacturing challenges. With their growing family in mind, Aerial Supplies began developing a range of children’s play equipment. From swings and slides to climbing frames, each piece was designed and manufactured using the company’s signature aluminium tube. These creations reflected Ken’s craftsmanship and his drive to build new inventions.
As demand increased, the business evolved into JDR. The company expanded its capabilities and began securing larger contracts. One of the early successes came through supplying major brands such as Betterware, producing mop handles fitted with button clips. It was truly a hands-on, family effort—Rosemary recalls being in the factory herself, inserting button clips into every mop handle.
From an early age, their son David Wharrad was involved in the business, helping during school holidays, whilst also pursuing a separate career as a firefighter. For 11 years he was a retained firefighter, equipped with a pager, David was on call, leaving the factory as needed to attend emergencies. Although he had planned to become a full-time firefighter, the rapid growth of the family business encouraged him to join full time in 1998.
In 2013, David led the company’s relocation to its current premises in Whitacre Road, Nuneaton. The move enabled further growth in aluminium manufacturing, supported local hiring and supported loyal staff who relocated, one couple moved their entire family to stay with the business.
Over the past 12 years, David, supported by his wife Rachel, have steered JDR into new areas while continuing the innovation legacy started by his father. Under his leadership, the company has not only developed new product lines but has also become a trusted subcontractor, supplying precision-engineered components for sectors such as gardening products, food production and construction. This essential behind-the-scenes work supports a wide range of well-known brands across the UK and beyond.
In 2017, David launched the TruDomes brand, offering geodesic domes made from aluminium tubing in a modular kit format. Extremely popular in the glamping industry these versatile domes are now growing in many sectors, for yoga studios, retreats, dining and events, including one that featured as a festive snow globe on the top of London’s O2.
In 2022, the company introduced RapidGB, a brand offering rapid deployment shelters for emergency response teams. From decontamination tents to command and control shelters, these products are once again based on JDR’s aluminium fabrication expertise.
Today, JDR is made up of three distinct brands; JDR Products, TruDomes and RapidGB. JDR Products continued to deliver a full-service offering, from design to delivery, across all areas of metal fabrication. The business has evolved far beyond its roots in aerials and tubing to serve a wide range of industries.
The company’s journey hasn’t always been easy. Starting a business with a young family and using their home as collateral was a huge risk. But through determination, hard work, and strong commitment to quality, JDR not only survived but thrived. Those founding values remain deeply embedded in the company today.
“As we celebrate our 45th year, we’re proud of the business we’ve built and grateful to the people who’ve helped shape it,” said David Wharrad, Managing Director. “From aerials and play equipment to domes and emergency shelters, our journey has always been powered by innovation and teamwork. Thank you to our customers, our staff, and everyone who’s been part of the story so far. Here’s to the next chapter.”
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