What a great thread. Fascinating history of a great region. Distressing as well though, so many well known companies gone.
Bird's Custard moved out of Digbeth in 1964. Pleasing to see the name lives on. Mr. Bird developed the first non-egg custard. Talking of which, I will start a new thread about the firsts Birmingham produced. I cadged it off another website, so you may have seen it already.
Typhoo Tea, big place, now gone. I remember those funny little vans they had, buzzing around all over. Dinky made a model.
Chance Glass, Smethwick. Responsible of course for the glass for the Crystal Palace. Skilful and revolutionary. The frame for the Crystal Palace was made at a foundry near Langley. They are talking of creating a new Crystal Palace, but I bet it will be made in China, no skills left here.