Honeywell Gent

Honeywell Gent, formerly Gents' of Leicester, is a British manufacturer of life safety equipment based in Leicester, England. Established by John Thomas Gent, the company is thought to have started in 1872 however it could have been trading as early as the 1860s. The company had a workforce of several hundred at its height. For over a century, the company was a well-known manufacturer of electrical equipment, in particular its electric clocks, which were used in public buildings and railway stations all over the world. Since the late 20th century, the company's primary focus has been fire detection and alarm systems. During the early years of the company, John T. Gent and Company manufactured both electric and pneumatic bells and other indicating equipment. By 1888, the company had a sizeable catalogue of electrical and mechanical products as well as products intended for the generation and storage of electricity. Gent also manufactured cables however this would be brought to an end in 1914. In 1914, the Midland Electric Wire Manufacturing Company ceased trading, bringing an end to the manufacturing of cables at the Faraday Works factory on St Saviours Rd. The reclaimed factory space was used to further grow the business. By the 1930s, Gent were manufacturing bells, clocks, power supplies, fire alarm systems, telephones and signalling and recording equipment. The company also produced sirens as wells as electrical parts for aircraft communications and radar equipment. Trading as Gents' of Leicester by the 1940s, the company owned showrooms to demonstrate its products. Some of Gent's most recognisable products were produced during the mid to late 20th Century. The company continued making electric bells and, trading as Chloride Gent following the acquisition, released the Chloride Gent Warbler – one of the first electronic fire alarm sounders. The Warblers were extremely loud and were used in many schools across the United Kingdom. The original Warbler has three selectable tones: warble, continuous and intermittent.