Tribute to Midland inventor of the wall plug
THE inventor of the plastic wall plug has died.
The company Stuart Turner founded, Plasplugs, owed its name to his genius invention and grew to achieve success across the globe – including opening a factory in New Jersey, USA.
It has now emerged Mr Turner, from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, died in January, aged 83, after a long illness.
He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Erica, and children Alex and Neale, as well as five grandchildren – Alistair, Oliver, Megan, Alicia and Isabella. His family said he would be “sadly missed by all”.
A small memorial ceremony took place on Monday, February 1, for those close to Mr Turner.
They said: “It is with great sadness I report that Stuart Harold Turner, the founder of Plasplugs, passed away peacefully on January 5, aged 83 after a long illness. Stuart invented the first ever plastic wall plug that gave its name to the company he set up in Burton.
“The business grew to be a leading brand for plastic wall fixings in the UK, exporting to Europe and the USA, with the manufacturing plant being based here in Burton.”
Founded in the early 1970s in Paget Street, Burton, and spurred by the rapid growth of home ownership in the UK, Plasplugs grew to manufacture a wide variety of DIY and construction products.
They included the Pro-Tiler and
Wire Stripper, with the firm’s flagship safety knives selling bucket-loads in major DIY retailers in the UK and US.
The Mastersharp, according to trade publication DIY Week, was a “unique product that could sharpen drill bits, plane blades and knives”.
In 1986 it opened a 10-acre site in Wetmore Road, also with sites in Vernon Street, Derby, and Alfreton.
Mr Turner’s eldest son, Alex, drove the company forward into European markets, but was taken ill and died in 1990, DIY Week wrote.
Neale, Mr Turner’s youngest son, continued to grow the brand around the world.
Plasplugs was sold in 2013, but its brand continues to be a prevalent force in the DIY sector today.