From Victorian cast iron street furniture, through two world wars, international recognition, global patents, and state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing in Halstead, Gatic represents over 165 years of continuous British engineering evolution.
Walter Emden, Mayor of Dover, acquired a controlling interest and installed his nephew Vivian Elkington as manager. The company was renamed Dover Engineering Works Ltd, signalling a move from local foundry to national engineering supplier.
During World War I, Dover Engineering Works was responsible for maintaining and supporting the 200‑strong Dover Patrol fleet, a Royal Navy force tasked with preventing German submarines entering the English Channel.
The company’s foundry and workforce became an integral part of Britain’s naval war effort, keeping ships operational in one of the most heavily contested maritime zones of the war.
