RBLI History.
Royal British Legion Industries has been providing life-changing support to military veterans for more than a century with our social enterprises, BBMC and SBMC now playing a central role in that success. Although the global landscape has changed dramatically since our inception, the need to support veterans has not wavered and our focus has remained strong throughout the years and will for the next 100 years.
Our Timeline.
1919
Where it all began
We began supporting ex-service personnel after WW1, when veterans diagnosed with tuberculosis came to us for care. As they recovered they wanted to have more independence and be able to provide for their families.
1964
Aylesford Signs department opened
The RBLI factory launches its cutting edge reflective signs department in Aylesford with 136 disabled employees leading the charge. This was the origin of what BBMC & SBMC is today, with veterans and those with disabilities at the centre of everything being made on site.
2018
Launch of SBMC
RBLI is keen to replicate their successful delivery models wherever possible in order to create the maximum impact and help the most beneficiaries. Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) was launched with this ethos in mind at a time and in an area where employment and development opportunities for veterans were rare. RBLI’s values are at the core of everything SBMC does.
2018
Nicola Sturgeon Officially Opens SBMC
Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Officially Opened SBMC when she visited the factory in 2018 Nicola Sturgeon said at a formal opening ceremony: “We greatly appreciate the work carried out with, and on behalf of, veterans by organisations such as Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.
2020
Scotland's bravest Gritter
The new gritter has been named by trunk road operator, BEAR Scotland, which took on responsibility for managing and maintaining trunk roads in south east Scotland in August, to demonstrate its ongoing support for veterans.
2022
Who we are today
As we’ve continued to grow the range of products and services that we offer, we’ve also expanded our support to people outside the Armed Forces community. As well as employing ex-service personnel, we now support people with disabilities and health conditions.
Our mission.
It is our mission to create employment opportunities for ex-forces personnel, allowing them to use the skills they learned in the Armed Forces while enabling them to maintain their independence in civilian life. This has been our mission here at RBLI since we were founded over 100 years ago and it continues to drive us forward today.
