We are so delighted to be collaborating with ACME Whistles! As champions of British manufacturing and huge fans of waggy tails we were intrigued by the ‘silent’ dog whistle….

Teddy Maximus is all about fun, luxury British style, we create beautiful accessories for you and your dog… you might have seen us in the Sunday Times Style mag recently, or perhaps you’ve spotted a pup travelling in style in one of our dog carriers – it certainly is a dog’s life! Inspired by my dachshund Teddy, the brand was born in 2015 and is now loved by dogs and their owners across the world!

We first met ACME Whistles in Florida at the Global Pet Expo and connected over our passion for British craftsmanship – we were immediately drawn to the heritage and quality of the products, resulting in our beautiful new Keyring Charm designed and made in the UK for stylish dog owners.

The ‘silent’ dog whistle is fascinating! There are so many things we love about it! We were amazed to learn that the sound of the ‘silent’

Writing a poem for ACME Whistles.

by Gabriella Gay (GKA Gay)

With one toot every cop and robber, runner, budding footballer, bulldog, plane and dancer stood still to attention. I learned very quickly in my year training to teach that my cheap plastic whistle, used for years at carnival, was not enough. Its half-heard whimper left the children that actually stopped quite confused, while the other half continued their games until they spotted the statues amongst them. The best teachers and teaching assistants invested in a good whistle and kept it hung around their necks. They were always ready for playtime duty, P.E, lunchtime and the rare occasion where a hand in the air, sharp ‘Are we ready?’ or the pure powerful presence of standing still was not enough.

In a voice care workshop we were told that the best way protect your voice but still be heard clearly from afar was to speak in a high pitched twangy politician style tone. I never tried it with the kids. I could just picture their laughter.

Team GB – 20th Anniversary Vizsla European Field Trial Championship (Europa Cup); Hungary 26 hours of driving (6 people & 4 dogs in a Transit van) saw us finally arrive at our hotel just over the border in Hungary. Admittedly we did stop off for a few hours for some last-minute polishing and a bite to eat at one of our very hospitable opponents in Austria.

All booked in and some real food, the team and dogs rested. The following day was spent acclimatising the dogs. On the Thursday, late afternoon we headed to the Championship Headquarters where we met up with the rest of Team GB. All the wonderful equipment supplied by our sponsors was presented to each handler by the Team Captain and the booking in of Team GB began.

Team Captains, some with translators headed off to the Team Captains meeting whilst the rest of the 12 countries mingled at the bar reigniting old friendships and forging new ones. After the Captains meeting the draw was made and all competitors were

Whistles have played a vital role on the battlefield throughout ACME’s 149-year history.

Many commands, including the famous ‘over the top‘ signal, were issued by whistles made at our factory in the Midlands and they soon became the official government-issue infantry whistle. Shouting was lost against the dreadful and overwhelming hurricane of sound that was guns firing, bombs and shells screaming earthwards and exploding. The noise was felt as well as heard as each side sought to not just damage but demoralise the other.

The whistle with its distinctive, discordant note spoke through the background noise as the voice of authority. To the chaos and terror, it brought order.

Carrying On Against All Odds

So important to the war effort was this small item that the British government seized control of the factory to ensure that whistle production was kept going. When bombs hit the ACME factory (falling from zeppelins whose real target was probably the nearby Kynoch munitions works) instructions

Behind every one of ACME Whistles’ iconic designs there is a story to be told. Perhaps the most compelling is a story that began at the turn of the 20th Century, and still resonates with us to this day. At its heart, it is about our proud military history, but it is also about the servicemen and women and the everyday details that formed their experience of war.

This year, 2018, marks the 100 year anniversary of the end of WWI. A dark time in world history, it was also an age of innovation and hope as people from all walks of life came together to do their bit for the war effort. For ACME Whistles, this period marked the start of a close relationship between the British military and the humble whistle company from Birmingham.

A Vital Role In British Military History

Ben McFarlane, our Head of Sales and Marketing, sums it up perfectly: "ACME Whistles has played an important role in so many era-defining moments throughout British history, including being a reliable tool for soldiers in WWI.

Learning from the best at ACME Whistles

My name is Lukas Ting, I am 18 years old and I live in Germany. My school asked me to do work experience in a foreign country. I decided to do two weeks of work experience with ACME Whistles to get an idea of what it is like to run such a big and internationally successful company.Of course, I had some expectations before I came to the UK.

I thought it would be strict and formal, but not in a bad way. I also expected a strict relationship between the employees and the management, in the way that the employees only follow the orders from the management. My biggest expectation was to learn a lot about economics and macroeconomics and to understand how you lead a company to success. I also wanted to get to know the English culture, and the living and working habits.

Two weeks with the ACME Whistles team

In the past two weeks I’ve worked in almost all the different departments at ACME. In the first week, I worked in all the production departments; in

An ACME Whistles Showcase

It’s Spring Fair time once again in Birmingham at the National Exhibition Centre - the UK’s biggest gift fair and one of the half dozen top shows worldwide - and it is the perfect platform to showcase our ACME Whistles Prestige Range of high end, precious metal jewellery and gift whistles.

The other great feature of the Spring Fair is that the visitors come from so many different backgrounds you never know who you are going to meet next, and what unusual use for your products you will encounter. It was at this show that our fun invention, The Loch Ness Monster Call, was born as well as the ‘Kit-Kat’ duck call which found its place in their famous TV advert. This year’s show did not disappoint in producing unusual customers as I will mention later.

All Time Favourites ACME Thunderer & Police Whistles

The miniature Thunderer whistles proved a big hit. Sterling silver always attracts, but the big star of the show was rose gold. It outsold all other finishes three

ACME Whistles - A World Leader in Whistles

ACME Whistles has always been innovative and at the forefront of product development in the world of whistles since the early days as J Hudson & Co Whistles Ltd. It is interesting to note that todays most popular whistles, wherever they are made in the world are based on an original ACME whistles design.

Product development is only part of the mix of activities that together create a successful company. Making potential buyers aware of the offering and making it available to them, that business process, is just as important.

It has always been this way, and as much as we talk today about the accelerating pace of change and the huge strides forward that are being made through technology, our experience is that the world is forever changing. Every period through which we as a brand have “lived” has seen new advances, as progress continues relentlessly on.

A Colourful History & Bright Future for ACME Whistles

Born into a world where the Bobby on

The World of Acme Whistles is always fun, always interesting and often deadly serious.

Our long history, beginning with the first Police Whistle and spanning six generations of whistle makers, is a tale of ingenuity, inventiveness and dedication to producing the finest whistles in the world.

Amazing products for amazing people

Whatever your interest, professional or general. Whether you need a whistle or are simply intrigued we hope you will enjoy our unique story.

Do let us have your comments – and please keep in touch through our social media platforms @acmewhistles or by emailing us @ [email protected]