Rotax, Lucas and CAV were initially independent companies. Lucas was based in Birmingham and CAV in Acton west London. Rotax was formed by the Aron brothers and went through several name changes and manufacturing locations the last of these being the former premises of the Edison Phonograph Co in Willesden west London in 1913. Initially a motor cycle accessory business, Rotax began to specialise in aircraft components after the first world war. At the end of 1925 the Aron brothers suggested that Lucas and Rotax should jointly take over CAV which was in financial difficulties at that time. When the deal was almost done Lucas decided that joint management of CAV would be out of the question and decided to take over Rotax as well. By the summer of 1926 both Rotax and CAV were owned by Lucas. Prior to the take-over CAV and Rotax had been working closely together in technology exchanges.