The original company was Midland Red, formed on 26 November 1904. On 28 June 1935, BMMO, otherwise known as Midland Red purchased Stratford Blue for £15,000. Stratford Blue then became a subsidiary of Midland Red, but continued to operate under its own identity until 1970. In 1970, the National Bus Company (NBC) dissolved the Stratford Blue operation and it fully passed into the hands of Midland Red. All vehicles were immediately repainted, although the company name was retained to protect future use of the name.