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Page 15 - Ben Mcfarlane
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- April 20, 2023
With more than 135 years of experience in designing and manufacturing whistles, ACME Whistles is a true stalwart of the British manufacturing industry. These days, the list of traditionally British-made products is shorter than ever before and much of our national manufacturing power has been moved overseas. In a market full of imports, we are proud that every ACME whistle is still manufactured to world-leading standards in Birmingham.
We are firm believers in learning from our past and improving, but we also know that the old ways are still the best in certain instances. For example, the fact that most of our whistles are hand-tooled using original machinery means that each one gets the full, undivided attention of our skilled craftsmen and women. The result is a superior product that is built to last and guaranteed to work perfectly.
The ACME Whistles best-selling models
We are keen innovators in the industry of sound solutions and over the years our designs have taken many forms. -
- April 17, 2023
We at ACME Whistles are a company of dog lovers and many of us share our homes and hearts with a four-legged friend or two. Dogs have evolved alongside us for thousands of years, so it’s no wonder that they have a reputation as mans’ best friend. Because we understand dogs, we know that they make the best working teams or companions when they are able to listen to their masters and follow commands.
All dogs should achieve at least a certain level of obedience training. It is vital for the safety of the dog and for anyone else coming into contact with them that the dog is able to understand and perform the basics such as sit, stay, leave it, and wait. The temptation for owners of new puppies is to focus on the fun process of learning tricks, but the importance of obedience training should also be addressed early on.
We have fine-tuned our dog whistles over the decades to ensure the reliability, consistency and performance of each model, making them an effective, practical tool in training -
- April 14, 2023
If you are shopping around for an unexpected and fun yet practical gift for a friend or family member then you might just find that the ideal present is a genuine ACME whistle. The value of a well-made, reliable whistle cannot be overstated, and the range of uses and applications for such a piece of equipment are extremely varied.
ACME Whistles is a company with a long history of world-class whistle engineering and manufacturing, and over the years we have been able to create a core range that covers all the bases and provides a sound solution for any requirement. We may be a little biased, but we truly believe that our whistles make the ideal gift for any occasion.
We have put together this gift guide for the spring and summer of 2023 to highlight some of our all time favourites, as well as placing the spotlight on our newest addition: the ACME ALPHA. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for a graduation, birthday, anniversary, or just because, we’re confident that you’ll love -
- March 31, 2023
ACME Whistles has a pedigree that can be traced back to 1935 when it comes to dog whistles. Today we are extremely proud to launch another world first: a reinvented take on our classic dog whistle called the ALPHA. The ALPHA is a new evolution in dog whistles which gives dog trainers and owners better control over longer distances.
We are dedicated to supporting dog owners across the country with our innovative, world-leading whistles and have worked closely with the UK’s best dog
trainers, including Ben Randall, to bring you a truly special dog training tool. The ACME ALPHA is 8% louder and delivers a clean, crisp sound which has expanded the sound range by 17% when compared to our original design.
We have demonstrated through rigorous testing and field trials that dogs can respond to the ALPHA’s call from distances of over 485 metres. To guarantee this result, the ALPHA has been four years in the making and has gone through 47 iterations to push the boundaries of what is possible while
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- March 30, 2023
Sports and the whistle go way back, so much so that it’s hard to imagine many sports played without the piercing call of the whistle commanding the game. Whether they are used to call time, signal a point scored or a foul dealt, the sound of the whistle always manages to capture our attention whether we are on the pitch in play or are watching from the stands or in front of our screens.
Referees and coaches need an instant means of communication, usually in environments with high levels of background noise, that can signal to players over long distances. The simplicity of the whistle means it is an extension of the user’s voice, and using a whistle comes as naturally as a shout.
The sports whistles we make today are almost identical to the ones we manufactured decades ago. They have undergone refinements and improvements here and there and we have engineered new materials to craft our whistles, but the essence of our designs remains the same. Each one is made for superior quality, performance
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- March 22, 2023
There can be no doubt that whistles are at the heart of everything we do here at ACME Whistles, and the biggest clue is in the name. Company founder Joseph Hudson was an inventor with a curious and driven mind, but whistles were not his first interest.
When he noticed a need for whistles that could cut through the hubbub of Victorian city streets, docks and railway stations, he was able to use his knack for innovation to engineer whistles that caused a revolution in their own right.
After finding this niche in the market and applying his natural talents, Hudson was able to start his own company manufacturing whistles in the heart of Birmingham in 1870. It was within his company that Hudson was able to produce some of the most iconic and enduring whistle designs in the world.
Unfortunately, being an industry-leading company always comes with the risk that cheap copycat products will enter the market, and this is certainly true of ACME Whistles. The truth is, a cheap copycat whistle can never
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- March 13, 2023
The UK has a long history of innovation within the rail sector and many engines that are famous all over the world were made by British hands before being shipped overseas; this heritage is certainly something to celebrate.
Since the earliest days of steam the UK has been at the forefront of every aspect of rail, from designing and manufacturing these magnificent engines, to finding innovative ways to expand networks across countries and continents. This reputation for innovation and world class quality remained with UK manufacturers even as steam engines gave way to modern diesel and electric engines.
If you are a rail enthusiast then you will know the thrill of spotting a rare or historic engine and being able to appreciate the wonder of its workings. Most people with an interest in rail will agree that the golden age of railways were the days of the steam engine, and even those who are not in the hobby can appreciate the spectacle of a steam engine being given a run on special occasions
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- March 09, 2023
There is nothing like heading outdoors to enjoy some of your favourite pastimes and pursuits, and for every activity there is an ACME whistle that will match your pace. Tough and built to last, every whistle we make is designed for superior performance in the most challenging of conditions. Whether you are an avid hiker, hunter or boater, make sure to pack an ACME for your next adventure.
The diverse range of whistles produced by ACME Whistles covers all the bases for all manner of outdoor hobbies, professions and pursuits in a compact and highly portable format. Our customers demand the absolute highest standards in terms of build quality and reliability which is why our whistles are made using traditional techniques in our Birmingham factory, and each is tested before leaving the workshop.
Safety and survival
Hikers and camping enthusiasts will appreciate the extra security that a high quality safety and survival whistle can provide. The ACME Survival Whistle 649 is a true favourite among
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- February 27, 2023
It is a sad fact that, due to many socioeconomic factors, the manufacturing sector in the UK is no longer the global powerhouse it once was. As a nation we are simply making less ‘stuff’ than in previous years, instead relying on imports to meet our needs.
It’s true that making things overseas and importing them to our shores can be a money saving exercise, but it often comes with a decrease in the quality of the goods.
At ACME Whistles we are dedicated to manufacturing a superior product that is unmatched by cheap imports, and once you have used one of our beautifully crafted whistles you will understand why. Our reputation for quality has stayed with us for over 150 years, and to this day we still use time-honoured techniques and trusted tools to manufacture our whistles.
We know that the only way to make whistles to an exacting standard is to have skilled and experienced technicians involved in every part of the process. As such, our whistles are largely hand-tooled and each is visually
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- February 21, 2023
Spring will soon be upon us, and as well as warmer temperatures and longer days we are looking forward to the waking of the natural world. One of our favourite things about spring is that it is a wonderful time of year to appreciate our native and migratory birds. Many start to become more active in the early spring as they go about building nests and raising chicks, and the pleasant, mild British springtime makes for much more enjoyable bird watching.
Whether you are a keen, committed bird watcher or simply want to try something new and learn a little more about our native wildlife, spending time in nature and observing our wonderful native species is a gratifying experience. You don’t necessarily have to head out into the middle of the countryside to enjoy a spot of bird watching, it can easily be done from your own back garden or even the city streets.
Some bird species are more closely associated with certain parts of the country than others so you won’t see every native or visiting
