The Ogle team celebrates 60 years in model-making.
It’s not often you find Star Wars and the Pope in the same sentence but as leading prototyping firm Ogle Models & Prototypes shows, 60 years in the model-making business can lead to some very interesting places.
Based in Letchworth, the firm recently celebrated six decades at the forefront of the model-making industry. Founded in 1954 by David Ogle, the company has worked with iconic brands around the world including replica models of the Raleigh Chopper, the Bush radio and even an early prototype of an electric car.
In fact, you might be familiar with Ogle’s work without even knowing it as the company played a crucial role the production of the original 1977 Star Wars film. And from Hollywood to the Vatican, Ogle was responsible for designing the bulletproof Popemobile which John Paul II used during his visit to England in 1982.
With continued investment in its 25,000 sq. ft. headquarters and advanced model making and prototyping processes which include cutting edge 3D printing, the company is dedicated to providing more options to clients to give them what it calls, the “Ogle factor”.
“The company’s 60-year heritage is one to be proud of and each decade has seen it go from strength to strength.” Ogle's marketing and sales director Dave Bennion commented. “We enjoy building strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients and really going the extra mile for them. We think we give them something extra, we’ve got the Ogle factor.
“We have worked with some of the biggest global brands, developing a reputation for excellence and reliability. Highlights undoubtedly include working with Raleigh on the iconic Chopper bike and co-operating in the production of Star Wars in 1976.”
Now the firm is looking forward to the next 60 years as its focus turns to the burgeoning aerospace, architecture, medical and defence sectors seeking prototyping expertise, particular as the promise of 3D printing continues to flourish. Ogle is also currently investing in a large scale CNC machine to coincide with its laser sintering and stereolithography processes.
