Ronson's Lighters
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Ronson's was a large factory making gas lighters in the town of Leatherhead, Surrey. The factory was between the east bank of the River Mole and Randalls Road.
[edit] History
During World War II, the plant was switched to 24-hour ammunition production, but returned to producing lighters after the war.
In the late 1970s, with production costs rising and cheap disposable lighters appearing on the market, Ronson's decided to discontinue production in Leatherhead. The plant closed in the early 1980s, the workers arriving one morning to find the gates shut.
[edit] Today
The factory was torn down in the 1980s, and the site is now a Mole Valley council business park.
At some point American and European operations split into two companies. The American branch offers cheap butane disposables, a few refillable inexpensive butane lighters, and the Windii (a Zippo clone) along with its ubiquitous fluids and flints. The European branch offers a full range of butane lighters that appear to be stylish, priced in the Colibri or better range. The European Ronsons do not appear to be distributed in North America.
Ronson Plc operates from the UK in offices located in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. See http://www.ronson.com/en/index.php
The American branch is located in Somerset, New Jersey. See http://www.ronsoncorp.com/index.cfm
Ronson lighters are still sought after. Many fine examples of Ronson lighters can be found on eBay.
[edit] Trivia
During World War II, Sherman Tanks were nicknamed "Ronsons" by Allied troops because of their propensity for catching fire when hit by German tanks.
