O’Donovan had been working in the motorcycle industry when he wandered by the Carlton booth at a trade show in 1937 and asked for a job.
O’Donovan turned out to be a marketing marvel and within a short while the dealer network he established was among the largest in the cycling industry.
[5] From 1960 to 1970, many UK brands were absorbed by Raleigh and production was transferred to Worksop, including, Armstrong, BSA, Hercules, Humber, Phillips, Robin Hood, Rudge, Sun, and Triumph.
In May 1981, the workers at the Worksop factory voted for closure (though they subsequently changed their mind and were ignored) and production was moved to a new Lightweights facility at Nottingham.
Its distinctive frame geometry featured steep angles and a small fork rake, and became popular and as a track and time trial bicycle.