A BRIEF HISTORY

J.W. Young & Sons, a brief history

J.W. Youngs reels have been made in the idyllic English counties of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire since 1884, considered by those who know, to be the benchmark of reel making excellence.

The tradition and heritage of hand-built British engineering is as real today as it’s ever been, with a stable of modern classics being created at the new Gloucestershire based works in Tewkesbury. Owning a reel from the J.W. Young’s range means that you can be part of that 130+ year angling heritage.

James William Young gave his name to the J.W. Young’s brand at the tender age of 24. Born in Redditch in 1870, the son of a fishing reel maker, he was destined to make reels. From an early age, he displayed a natural talent for innovation with a flair for design and an eye for aesthetics, perhaps his greatest legacy is the Allcock Aerial. Instrumental in its early development, Aerial reels are seen as the epitome of centrepin design. Any Aerial, no matter its age or condition, remains a highly collectible prize.

Because of his precocious talent for design he quickly rose to become the head of reel production at Allcocks in Redditch. During this time he made the decision to set up his own business creating reels for Allcocks and other companies to market. Two of his sons, Howard and James, joined him after leaving school. Sadly, James William died following a tragic accident whilst on holiday on The Isle of Man in 1921. Howard and James continued running the now very successful business, located at the Mayfield Works, the site of an old apple orchard in Redditch. In 1940 they were joined by their brother, Edward E. Young just as their fishing reel production halted. The business was put at the disposal of the Ministry of Aircraft and they went on to produce one of the greatest war-time components - the firing button used in the legendary Spitfire fighter.

Production of reels resumed immediately after the end of the war, with unusually, the development the Ambidex, a fixed spool reel. Despite the success of this reel, their main production was in centrepin reels including the Gildex, Rapidex, Trudex, Windex, Seldex and Landex.

In 1965 Jim Young, qualified engineer and grandson of James William, was at the helm of the company when it was purchased by the famous American company, Noris Shakespeare, and they continued working together to manufacture fishing reels and spools.

In 2001 J.W. Young & Sons was acquired by Masterline International Ltd, a world-famous brand in all aspects of fishing. One of their employees, Chris Miles had joined Masterline at the age of 17, eventually becoming the Master Reel Maker for Young’s reels. With the demise of Masterline in 2020, Chris and his partner Vicki Haines made the bold decision to acquire the Young’s brand.

Chris’ expertise and in-depth knowledge of Young’s reels means that all of the assembly work continues to the famous high standards of excellence. Today, all reels are manufactured, engineered and hand-assembled in the UK with the final inspection always overseen by Chris Miles. Once he’s happy that the final product displays workmanship of the highest standards, Chris personally signs the certificate of authenticity that accompanies every reel.

If you would like to read a more comprehensive, in-depth and researched history of this famous British brand, try Elwyn Attwood's J.W. Young and Son, published by the Medlar Press.

Interesting historical JW Youngs documents

J.W. Young & Sons: A Legacy of Handcrafted Excellence in Centrepin Reels

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Since 1884, J.W. Young & Sons has been synonymous with handcrafted centrepin fishing reels, prized by anglers worldwide.

In 2001, production moved to Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and in 2020, the company entered a new era when Chris and Vicki Miles took ownership, relocating to a traditional factory. Their mission? To uphold the great British tradition of reel-making while expanding the brand’s reach globally.

Tradition Meets Innovation

J.W. Young’s reputation is built on two main centrepin reel designs:

"Tru" pins, where the spool rotates directly on the central pin.

Bearing-based centrepins, offering a modern take on a classic concept.

Demand for J.W. Young & Sons reels continues to grow, especially across North America, Europe, and Asia.

The Craftsmanship Behind Every Reel

Chris Miles, a master reel maker with over 30 years in the industry, honed his skills under the guidance of Jim Young (grandson of founder James William Young) and Garry Mills. Every reel that leaves the factory is handcrafted, inspected, and personally signed off by Chris, ensuring unmatched precision and quality. Each one carries its own serial number, certificate of authenticity, and a British handmade padded pouch to protect its hand-polished finish.

While Jim Young is no longer actively involved in production, his 60+ years of reel-making experience remain invaluable. Chris and Vicki frequently consult him, and he still receives one of the first reels from each new model for his personal collection.

The J.W. Young brand remains unmistakably British and continues to be highly sought-after worldwide. With growing demand and exciting new releases on the horizon, the future of J.W. Young & Sons is as bright as ever.

Stay tuned for new releases and updates—watch this space!