British Glues & Chemicals

caution !! this is an initial draft ...

I keep these notes on my server so I don't loose them !!

 

 

 

British Glues & Chemicals

In 1920 seven English glue & chemical companies amalgamated to resist the threat of foreign domination by spreading best practice, focusing investment on R&D and modern factory facilities and organising activities for maximum output, minimum waste, highest quality, lowest cost and best value.

The business strategy was to exploit science & scale economies associated with upgrading the quality of the by-products from the animal carcase ... from manure to glue to gelatine ...

'The Weaver Refining Co Ltd', Acton Bridge was one of the companies merged into 'British Glues & Chemicals' which was incorporated on the 10th of May 1920. In 1968 BG&C was acquired by 'Croda International'  ...

The Seven Companies involved were -

1. Charles Massey & Son Ltd -  1815 - Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Market Harborough, Leicestershire & Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. Valued @ £301,660. National Archives BT 31/16877/74647 - 1902.

2. Meggitts (1917) Ltd - 1837 - Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Valued @ £254,192. National Archives  BT 31/23785/148186 - 1917. BT 31/23785/148188

3. Quibell Brothers Ltd - 1814 - Newark-on-Trent. Valued @ £210,558. National Archives BT 31/16114/60186 GB/NNAF/C109206.  

4. The Grove Chemical Co Ltd - 1856 - Appley Bridge, Wigan. Valued @ £166,927. National Archives BT 31/15452/43227

5. Williamson & Corder Ltd - 1892 - Low Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Valued @ £128,975. National Archives BT 31/16752/72382 - 1902.

6. The Weaver Refining Co Ltd - 1900 - Acton Bridge, Cheshire. Valued @ £102,500. National Archives BT 31/18624/100421 - 1908.

7. J & T Walker (1917) Ltd - 1795 - Bestwood Colliery, Nottingham. Valued @ £95,715. National Archives BT 31/23862/148786 - 1917.

Consenting to act as Directors were -

Walter Shewell Corder* (Chairman) - Williamson & Corder Ltd

Harold John Cotes* (Joint Managing Director) - Charles Massey & Son Ltd

Roger Duncalfe* (Joint Managing Director) - Meggitts (1917) Ltd

William Cotes - Charles Massey & Son Ltd

James Evans Grimditch - Meggitts (1917) Ltd and The Weaver Refining Co Ltd

Edward Hindley - The Weaver Refining Co Ltd

Walter Haworth* - The Grove Chemical Co Ltd

Herbert Haworth - The Grove Chemical Co Ltd

Joseph Oswald Neill* - The Weaver Refining Co Ltd

Ernest Hall Quibell - Quibell Brothers Ltd

Oliver Quibell* - Quibell Brothers Ltd

William Boyd Barrie Quibell - Quibell Brothers Ltd

George Edward Shawcross - Williamson & Corder Ltd

John Deverill Walker* - J & T Walker (1917) Ltd

Tom Walton - Charles Massey & Son Ltd

FCA Secretary, H Tweedale, ACA.

Registered Office - Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway, London WC2.

* Preference Shareholders £1,000 @ 8%

All Directors held a qualifying 1,000 ordinary shares.

The first accounts were produced on September 27th 1921.

Charles Massey & Son Ltd

In 1863/64 Charles Massey was the Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Was this the Massey who started the business at Waterloo Works and was advertising in Grace's Guide 1876?

In 1879 Masseys were advertising manures in the Commercial Directory and Shippers Guide and also size and tallow.

Incorporated in 1902, at Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire and out put expanded including glues and servicing the pottery industry. Tom Walton was the accountant and auditor and young Harold Cotes joined as Works Manager at Waterloo Works, Newcastle in 1904.

The Board members in 1908 were, left to right, Tom Walton, W Goodwin, Harold J Cotes, William Cotes.

By 1912, Kelleys described the company as a chemical works in addition to Waterloo Works, there was a bone calcining mill at Sideway Mill, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent and offices at Glebe Buildings Stoke-on-Trent; 5 Milk Street, London EC and 36 Spring Gardens, Manchester. And Eilbecktal, Hamburg ... & they had taken over a factory at Market Harborough ...

In 1963 'Longton, A History of the County of Stafford' by William Page records the history of Sideway Mill - 'Before 1212 the Lord of Longton, granted the Cockster-Longton Brook and the adjoining bank to the priory of Trentham ‘to the use of the mill upon the heath’. Between 1277 and 1292 the priory was given the right to erect a mill anywhere within the manor of Longton and this mill may have been in place of the first. Nothing more is known of Longton mill until 1600 when a water mill was owned by John Hunt and then in 1774 it was bought by the Revered Obadiah Lane. The mill was worked by Obadiah Lane and Ambrose Smith as partners in flint-grinding. It was sold  in 1778 to Sir John Edensor Heathcote. Later Richard Edensor Heathcote leased a flint mill and cottage in Longton to William K Harvey in 1847 on a 21 year lease. In 1867 John Edensor Heathcote leased the mill to James and Alfred Glover, who continued to use it to grind flint. In 1882 they surrendered the lease of the mill, by this date called Longton Old Mill, and it was immediately leased to Thomas and George Bakewell for ten years. By this date a drying kiln had been built there. The mill was leased in 1899 to Messrs J and E J Froggatt for five years. A further lease to the Froggatts for a period of seven years was made in 1904. The mill was sold in 1916 to W V S Gradwell Goodwin by J H Edwards Heathcote. By this date it was known as Sideway Mill (and occupied by Charles Massey & son Ltd). Since 1920 the mill has been worked by British Glue and Chemicals Ltd as a bone mill. It is situated on the Longton Brook in the southwest of Longton at the junction of Poplar Lane and the bridle road from Longton to Hanford. There was formerly a large mill pool east of the mill which survived until at least 1898. The mill was still using water power until soon after the Second World War when the large water wheel, which was of the overshot type, was removed. Steam power also was used from at least 1930. The mill is now run by electricity'.

North of Market Harborough, Great Bowden village lies on the south-east border of Leicestershire, about sixteen miles from Leicester. A glue factory at Gallow Hill on the western boundary of the parish was owned by Charles Massey & Son Ltd from 1908 until the firm's amalgamation with British Glues & Chemicals Ltd in 1920. The buildings lie beside the canal and on the line of the old turnpike road from Harborough to Leicester. The former Gallow Hill Inn, a brick building of the early 19th century, is used as a house and office by the company. ('Great Bowden', A History of the County of Leicestershire: Volume 5, Gartree Hundred (1964)).

The factory is still operating as part of the J G Pears group ... and still experiencing the old industry problems of smells and irate neighbours ...

 The Lutterworth Mail reported a fire at rendering plant on Monday 6 September 2010, 'A machine caught fire at a rendering plant on the outskirts of Harborough on Saturday. Fire crews from the town and several pumps from other stations were called out to J G Pears in Leicester Road at about 5.30pm. Sparks from a hammer unit were believed to be the cause of the blaze, which spread to a machine. Fire fighters used two jet reels and two breathing apparatus to put out the flames.
The factory has been embroiled in a long-running controversy over bad smells being emitted from the site. Fed-up people living nearby, on the A6 near the McDonald's roundabout, have complained to Harborough District Council about the smell which prompted the council to issue a warning letter to the company in 2008. JG Pears started operating at the Gallow Hill site in 2003 and it was previously the site of a glue factory.
The company receives animal fat and bones from butchers' shops and meat processing plants to be rendered so it separates into animal fat for use in soap and into meat and bone meal for pet food'.

Meggitts (1917) Ltd 

 Originally established in 1837, Samuel Meggitt was trading in 1839 at 36 Sycamore Street and in 1841 at 97 Duke Street, Sheffield. Specialising in polished bone, horn and metal shirt buttons. Samuel Meggitt & Sons, at Sheffield Bone Mills, Effingham Road, Sheffield, and at Denaby, Rotherham, and at Hamilton Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire (Trade Directories).

A company advert appeared in the Commercial Directory and Shippers Guide in 1879.

1881 Kelly's directory of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire lists - Samuel Meggitt & Sons, Exchange Row, Mansfield; offices & works, Sutton-in-Ashfield; & at West Stockwith, Gainsborough.

The company's incorporation in 1893 was reported in The Chemical Trade Journal.

A bundle of papers from 1873-1898 has survived from the Duke of Portland's estate relating to Samuel Meggitt & Sons Ltd. 73 items of paper & linen provide interesting bits of local history, as Samuel and his son William Thomas struggle with the bones & tillage business and the inevitable indictments concerning pollution of the water courses!

By 1900 it seems the company was into fine glues & gelatines at Sutton-in-Ashfield but a separate company was to be formed in Sheffield to handle the button business.

In 1903 The World Paper Trade Review noted Samuel Meggitt (Sheffield), Ltd had been registered to carry on the business of manufacturers and dealers in bone buttons, bone studs etc.

The Stock Exchange Year Book of 1908 reported Samuel Meggitt & Sons of Hamilton Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield was registered on 18 August 1903, in a reconstruction of a company of similar title, carrying on business as glue, grease and manure manufacturers.

It appears the Meggitt business was split into two companies with different locations and specialisations, bone products at Sheffield and manures and glues at Sutton.

Hector Marsh remembers his childhood in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. This is a piece of history of a small town in England 100 years ago. It was written in 1982 when he was 81. Included is an incident at the bone mill - 'I remember the occasion when Meggitt's Bone Mill caught fire. It was a huge blaze. We were amongst a lot of people viewing the fire when we were forced a long way back by the Police. They said there was a big tank containing some sort of liquid which, if it became ignited, would cause a terrific explosion. We, of course, gave it a wide berth, and, fortunately, it didn't happen, but a lot of damage was done'.

Meggitt's Sheffield operation was also remembered during one of the endless sessions of internet chat - 'There are a couple of things on the 1905 map of Sheffield that jogged my memory. Salmon Pastures was virtually an island surrounded by the Don and the Royds Mill race. The building at the bottom of the map, identified as 'Bone Works', was owned by a company called Meggitts. My Father worked there after leaving school (1921-22) but left to learn a skilled trade elsewhere. They made buttons from the bones and two great uncles and my father's cousin worked there as bone cutters. I think Meggitts went out of business in the mid to late 1940s. At that time it was run by a Mr Clements who was also a well known local preacher'.

In 1907, L Lindley in 'History of Sutton-in-Ashfield' noted, 'Messrs Samuel Meggitt and Sons, Ltd., manufacturers of fine glues and gelatine: Hamilton Road, Ashton-in-Ashfield; established 1837; number employed, 65 males, 65 females'.

In 1911 White's Directory listed Samuel Meggitt at The Bone Mills, Effingham Road, Sheffield.

In 1917 S Meggitt & Sons Ltd were taken over by the controller of enemy businesses and a new company Meggitts (1917) Ltd was formed. The Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry recorded in 1918 - 'Samuel Meggitt & Sons, Ltd - In the Chancery Division on July 16, Mr Justice Younger heard the petition of the Board of Trade, under the Trading with the Enemy (amendment) Act 1916, for the winding up of Samuel Meggitt & Sons, Ltd. Mr J Austin Cartwell (for The Board of Trade) said the company was formed in 1903 to take over an earlier company in Nottingham, the business being that of chemical manure manufacturers. For a time the new company was successful, but in 1912 the business declined and in 1913 a German group, through a Belgian firm, obtained a controlling interest in it. The Board of Trade came to the conclusion that this was a company which fell within the terms of the Act of 1916, and ordered that the business should be wound up. This had now been done and the whole of the assets realised and the debits provided for. A new company, purely English, had been formed to take over the business under the title of Meggitts (1917) Ltd. His Lordship made the order'.

On the 31 Dec 1919 the 6th Duke of Portland KG and his trustees Edward Horsman Bailey, Charles Ludovic Lindsay and Francis Bingham Mildmay sold two pieces of land on Hamilton Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield to Meggitts (1917) Limited, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, consideration, £550; mines and minerals reserved to the vendor and trustees. Plan attached shows the pieces of land lying on either side of Hamilton Road at its junction with Newark Road.

 In 1920 The Institute of Chemistry, Journal & Proceedings noted the address of Edgar Stanley Downes, as c/o Messrs Meggitts (1917) Ltd, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts.

An interesting obituary appeared in the journal of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain & Ireland in 1933 - 'Arthur John Shelton died at Minas de Rio Tinto, Spain, on 17th November, 1932, in his 55th year. Educated at the Mathematical School, Rochester, and at the Central Technical College, he obtained the diploma of Associate of the City of Guilds of London Institute in 1896 and continued in organic research for a year. In 1905 he held an appointment with Messrs Meggitt & Sons, Ltd, Glue Manufacturers, at Sutton-in-Ashfield'.

In 1944 the Journal of the Royal Institute of Chemistry reported - 'Loxley Meggitt, who died in May, at Auckland, New Zealand, in his 71st year, was trained at University College, Nottingham, and became assistant, in turn, to F T Addyman, A H Allen and M J R Dunstan, Fellows, and after qualifying as an Associate of the Institute became technical and analytical chemist to Samuel Meggitt & Sons, Ltd, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, glue, gelatine and manure manufacturers.
In 1903 however he became manager of the works of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Ltd, at Sydney, NSW, and in 1918 became manager of James Barnes, Ltd, of Alexandria, Sydney, NSW, manufacturers of linseed oil and cake, stearine, glycerine etc.
In 1920 he devoted his attention to fruit growing before retiring to New Zealand in 1932. He was elected an Associate of the Institute in 1895 and a Fellow in 1901'.

 Quibell Bros Ltd

'Newark Advertiser' obituary 1897 - 'William Oliver Quibell (1833-1897) was born at Gateford, near Worksop, in 1833 and was therefore nearing his 64th year. His family had been farmers for generations in the Newark area, but he was articled to Mr. Harvey. Eight years later he became a partner in the firm, which was thenceforth known as Harvey & Quibell. The business was originally founded by the late Mr James Snow in 1814. On the death of Mr John Harvey the style was changed to Quibell Brothers, Mr Thomas O Quibell having joined some years previously. Two sons of Alderman Quibell have since entered the business. The deceased was a Wesleyan Methodist and had filled most of the offices open to a layman in that Church. For a number of years he was a lay reader and a class-leader. He had been Circuit Steward and at the time of his death was district Treasurer of the Foreign Missionary Society. He was elected a representative to the conference held at Bradford in 1878, the first to which laymen were admitted. Three times since, he was one of the 18 laymen chosen by the Conference itself to be members of the Representative Session. To the last, he took the deepest interest in the work of the Church. The new Sunday Schools which the Wesleyans are going to build were constantly in his mind during the last part of his life, and he gladly contributed towards the cost. He was for years a prominent member of the School Board of the Board of Guardians, a member of the Town Council and an Alderman. In 1884 he was chosen Mayor. Appointed a JP for the Borough some years ago, he frequently attended the Bench, always administering Justice with impartiality and tempering it with mercy. Since his death, the Town Hall flag has been at half-mast, also those at the Ram Hotel and on other buildings in the town. Under a memorial window in Barnby-Gate Methodist Church is the inscription - 'To the glory of God and in loving memory of William Oliver Quibell, Mayor of Newark 1884-5, this window is dedicated by his daughter Eleanor Mary Bainbridge.' He was a devout Christian and an earnest Wesleyan Methodist, who served his Church faithfully in every lay office'.

Oliver Quibell (1863-1945) was the eldest son of William Oliver Quibell and Eleanor Boyd Berrie who was born on 27th October 1863 and baptised on 30th November 1863 at Barnby-Gate Wesleyan Church. On 9th November 1906 he was appointed a Borough Magistrate. 'A prominent Liberal and nonconformist, a member of the Education Committee & the Free Library Committee, he has represented the East Ward for three years. He is a partner of Quibell Bros. and Vice President of the Newark Division Liberal Association. In November 1907, and again a year later he was elected Mayor. Kelly's 1912 Directory lists him as Councillor, East Ward (retires November 1914) and Magistrate'.

In 1894 Quibell Brothers, Newark-on-Trent advertised - 'Liquid and powdered sheep dip, gelatine, soaps & glues'.

1905, March 8 - 'About ten minutes past six on Monday night a fire was found to have broken out at Messrs Quibell Bros' (Ltd) works, Newark, near the bottom lock. The attention of Mrs Barlow, wife of Mr J Barlow, foreman of the works, who lives close by, was attracted. Without delay she communicated with Mr Oliver Quibell, who was on the premises, and with all speed a hose, was attached to a hydrant. Information was also conveyed to the police station by means of the telephone, and the fire bell was rung and the brigade summoned. So well had Mr Quibell and his helpers worked that the brigade found the fire well under control and without much difficulty all danger of a conflagration was avoided'.

In 1912 The British Journal of Nursing reported, 'The Ideal Homes Exhibition at Olympia, Stand 35a is that of Messrs Quibell Bros Ltd whose Disinfectant Fluid, 'Kerol' is attracting such widespread attention owing to its high efficiency and non-toxic properties. To judge from the interesting exhibits of this firm the Stand should be well worth a visit'.

Kerol disinfectant, was advertised as the safeguard of the Englishman's home, manufactured by Quibell Brothers Limited (later Kerol Ltd.). The disinfectant was promoted regularly and claimed to be effective against diphtheria, measles, cholera, scarlatina, typhoid, skin irritation (used in bath water), nits, as a gargle for sore throat and as a shampoo. One illustration showed a well-dressed elderly man in a top hat and bow tie smiling at the bottle of Kerol he is holding in his right hand, orange background behind him. The text is red out of a purple border around it with a white cross inside a circle at the top.

Like all other factories handling potentially hazardous materials, Quibells had their share of problems, as The Times reported in 1927. However profitable companies with trained motivated staff were better able to cope and invest in Health & Safety procedures, well done William Lloyd and Frank Boot. At Quibells safety was never seed as an alternative to profit but as a contributing factor!

In 2002 John Sutton provided a splendid photo of the remains of Quibell's factory on the other side of the Trent from under Fiddlers Elbow Bridge from 1915. He recalls the factory began in the 1860s as a manufacturer of bone fertiliser, cattle cake and sheep dip, later branching out into glue and cosmetics as part of British Glues and Chemicals. In Michael Vanns' 'The Railways of Newark-on-Trent' (Oakwood Press), Sid Rising recalled working as a 15-year-old railwayman in 1943, 'I started taking the numbers of the wagons in the sidings of Quibell's factory which processed animal hide and skin into cosmetics. The wagons were loaded with rotting meat and bones which were accompanied by thousands of maggots and a pungent smell. Taking numbers consisted of walking on a carpet of maggots, stamping your feet to scare away any rats, tucking your handlamp under your arm and holding your breath for quite a few minutes. This was quite an experience on a dark winter's morning and perhaps one of the main reasons the lady number takers did not work these hours'.

Mr Vivian F Suter was born in 1925 and joined Quibell Brothers as a lab assistant at Easter 1941, he was in charge as Works Manager when the Newark Factory was closed and demolished in 1976. He has recently been writing up his personal memories which are a fascinating insight into the factory at Newark ... here's Vivian receiving a certificate from Harry Thompson, Wigan & Newark works director ...

'The Quibells of Newark' by Mr G Hemingway, 1980: 76 pages. This typescript publication has a section on The early Quibells of East Markham, Profiles on William Quibell of Newark (1805-1883) and some of his descendants. (It is currently available in the Newark Library, Nottinghamshire and is also in the Nottinghamshire Family History Society library collection)

Grove Chemical Co Ltd

Founded by the haworth family in 1856, the Grove Chemical Works at Appley Bridge, Wigan produced animal glue, bone meal and tallow. The site was on the famous Leeds & Liverpool Canal which stretched over a distance of 127 miles, there were 91 locks as it crossed the Pennines before it linked into the Liverpool docks system.

The 1881 edition of Worrall's Wigan & District Directory, indentifies The Appley Bridge Chemical & Manure Works.

By 1893 under the guidance of Herbert Haworth, senior partner, and his brother Walter, junior partner, The Gove Chemical Co and their Crown Works, at Appley Bridge had established a formidable reputation. An article in The Worlds Paper Trade Review confirmed that 'Appley Bridge glue and size making is well understood and efficiently carried out ...'

In 1895 The Chemist & Druggest reported the  incorporation of the Haworth business. 

A snippet from 1898 in The Worlds Paper Trade Review revealed - 'The Grove Chemical Co Ltd of Crown Glue Works, Appley Bridge, near Wigan, advise us of a change in their Manchester address. Their offices have been removed from 20 Cross Street to 71 Haworth's Buildings, Cross Street'.

By 1899 the same journal reported - 'The Grove Chemical Co Ltd - The specialities of this firm, owing to their reliable quality, have obtained an excellent reputation amongst papermakers and others. The growth of the business, under the management of Messrs Haworth, have necessitated larger works, and new buildings have lately been erected in order to meet the growing demand for the firm's make of glue'.

Also in 1899 The Crown Works of The Grove Chemical Company at Appley Bridge were applying science to the manufacture of size and exploiting the latest technology to provide their customers at the paper mills with high quality products at low cost. The World's Paper Trade Review reported that competition for patented technology was fierce.

Russ Mason's family had connections with the Apply Bridge Works, just about everyone in his family worked there, between them they accumulated 358 years of service. In the late 1960s Croda published a two page  tribute to 'the Masons' as a centre spread in one of their pamphlets / house magazines, a copy was recently unearthed by Russ from some dusty archive ... what a treasure of family history ...

Here are some of the Mason memories -

 Russ' dad, Sydney, worked for 16 years at Appley Bridge until 1957. He took the photo of the factory in the 1930s from a glass plate found at the back of an old drawer in the plant office during a visit just before it was demolished in 19??. He also remembers Bill Rigby who worked in the boiler room at the 'Bone Works' until he retired around 1965. He worked with a fellow by the name of Len Edley who was tragically killed on the job. Bill had a brother Jack Rigby who worked in the stores department. There were 97 workers at the works in the fifties including several Rigbys. Up until 1920 Sydney thought that the factory was owned by the banks before it was bought by the group of BG&C investors.

The animal waste processed included some surprisingly exotic beasts including train loads of camels from Egypt! More specialised products were also produced like edible gelatine for the food industry and buttons for the Lancashire garment industry made from sawn bones.

steam raising from coal fired Scotch Marine Boilers was at the heart of the rendering process. The tall chimneys dominating the site were designed to disperse smoke and objectionables far and wide. But the stacks retained clinker & debris which had to be manually cleared via long suffering operators in bosun's chairs. Adding yet another twist to the mucky smelly working conditions ... today's Health & Safety inspectors would have had a field day!

Russ' granddad, Little Bert, started working at the plant in 1900 and remained there for 48 years. Around 1920 he was offered a Directorship for an investment of £100. A lot of money in those days which he did not have, so he ended up working on the benzene 'ponds' which were used for cooling the glue pellets. These were large open vats that were a considerable hazard for both the workmen and equipment. 

On the 23rd of August 1921 'The Times' reported that a fire at Appley Bridge caused damage estimated at £20,000.

Of course industrial accidents were not confined to bone works. Russ remembers Charlie Haywood got killed in an industrial accident at the Lino Works just down the road from the 'Bone 'ole', the Appley Bridge nick name for BG&C factory.  The 'Lino Works' was formed in 1898, the business of Thomas Witter and Co Ltd, manufacturers of floor cloth and linoleum. In 1924 the company was bought by Rylands & Sons of Manchester. In 1932, an agreement was made between Rylands and the S.A. des Papeteries de Genval, Belgium, manufacturers of felt base floor coverings. Each took an equal holding in Witter, and a paper mill and felt base factory were opened in addition to the existing linoleum works. In 1953, Rylands sold all but 5 per cent of its interest to the Belgian concern.

Williamson & Corder Ltd

A factory in the North East founded by robert williamson and walter corder in 1894.

In 1902 The World Paper Trade Review Volume 37 reported- Williamson & Corder Ltd were to acquire the business carried on at Walker-on-Tyne, Northumberland, as Williamson & Corder, and adopt an agreement with R Williamson & W S Corder, and to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in gelatine, glue, grease, oil, alkalies, soaps, chemicals etc.

In 1915 the Journal of the Chemical Society, Transactions published Robert Williamson's obituary.

In common with their peers the factory at Low Walker, Newcastle earned its share of opprobrium.

The chat on the internet forums reveals something of the working conditions at the Williamson & Corder's 'bone yard'. Even as late as 1900, when Edward Hindley was starting his Acton Bridge factory, the work was ... errr ... 'juicy' ... but where's there's muck there's brass! ... these businesses were chemical refining businesses with ready markets for many different and valuable products ...

Williamson & Corder were the only prospective subsidiary company of BG&C to advertise their wares in the 1919 British Chemical Manufacturers directory of members.

Robert Williamson and Walter Corder had a passion for chemistry and were keen to keep close to the science of their trade. In 1941 Williamson & Corder Ltd continued the tradition of their founders and cooperated with local cancer research - see - 'The Citric Acid Content of Animal Tissues, with Reference to its Occurrence in Bone and Tumour' by Frank Dickens, from the Cancer Research Laboratory, North of England Council of the British Empire Cancer Campaign, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Received 1 September 1941) - 'I am greatly indebted to Mrs C M Burns for bone specimens and analyses; to Mr T W Smith of Messrs Williamson & Corder, Newcastle, for information about bone meal and for a gift of this material; to the Pathology Department, University of Durham, for the use of their photometer; and to the Physicians & Surgeons of this Hospital for clinical material'.

J & T Walker (1917) Ltd

'History of seed crushing in Great Britain' by Harold W Brace - 1960 - 'Nottingham - J & T Walker erected a mill at Leen Side in about 1854, which was transferred to larger premises on the London road in 1874'.

As early as 1855 the post office directory records J & T Walker were processing bones in Castle Street,  Nottingham.

'Men and Women of Bulwell' by Robert Mellors indentified John Deverill Walker and Thomas Walker who carried on a bone crushing business at Forge Mill in 1866, and afterwards. The mill was in Papplewick parish, but was called the 'Bulwell Bone Mill'. J D Walker was a member of the Board of Guardians, and for several years its chairman. He was highly esteemed for his business like ability and kindness. He died in 1878 aged 70. Thomas Walker was his youngest brother and carried on the business at his decease, until he died in 1893, aged 73.

Forge Mill had a remarkable pedigree. 'A Place Like Papplewick' Vols. 4 & 5 describes the history of the cotton mills on the Leen - 'Water powered mills have existed along the River Leen in the parishes of Papplewick and Linby since at least 1232. By 1615, iron refining was underway at Bulwell Forge, otherwise known as Forge Mill, which once stood in Papplewick parish. This mill consumed vast quantities of local timber that were turned into charcoal. There is evidence that the timber being taken for use at Bulwell Forge accounted for much of the destruction of Sherwood Forest during the 17th and 18th centuries. Iron continued to be worked here until at least 1773. Mills along the River Leen began to proliferate after 1776 for the processing of cotton. In 1776 George Robinson arrived, he created a manufacturing empire, establishing six mills including Castle Mill, Grange Farm, Middle Mill and Forge Mill, driven by water power, and providing jobs for 800 people. Water shortages and a wrangle over water rights with landowner Lord Byron, the poet's great uncle, forced Robinson to find alternative means of powering the mills. In 1785, he installed a steam engine invented by James Watt at Grange Farm - the first to be used in a cotton mill anywhere in the world. Had the railways come to the area in time, the Leen Valley could have become the centre of the cotton industry but, through lack of infrastructure and various legal disputes, the Robinsons abandoned the trade and turned to banking.

 (Interestingly, 1785 was the year that Daniel Whittaker abandoned his plans to invest in a cotton mill at Acton Bridge in favour of the 16ft head of water in the greenfield valley. It seems the search for useful water power was widespread, but entrepreneurs like the Robinsons were alive to James Watts alternative ... others were soon to follow ... )

In July 1828, cotton spinning came to a halt due irreconcilable differences between the proprietors, a dispute that dragged through the courts until 1830. Thereafter, the mills lay empty and largely deserted. All but Castle Mill and Forge Mill were dismantled in the 1840's and the materials used to construct new farm buildings, examples of which remain at West View and Forest Farms. J & T Walker occupied Forge Mill and between 1866 and 1920, it was used to grind bones'. 

1888/9 Wright’s Directory of Nottingham - J & T Walker, seed crushers and tillage merchants, Jackson St (St Ann's Well road).

From The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 1889, 'Mr Robert Marshall, of Ley Fields, Kneesall, Newark, sent on March 25, 1889, a sample of raw bone meal for analysis. Five tons of this had been purchased, at £5-5s per ton delivered, net cash, from Messrs J & T Walker, of Nottingham, who were the manufacturers. The following is Dr Voelcker's 1889 report -
   Moisture 18.55%
   Organic matter 32.11%
   Phosphate of lime 39.71%
   Carbonate of lime 8.78%
   Insoluble siliceous matter 0.85%
   Containing nitrogen 3.63%
   Equal to ammonia 4.41%
   Including common salt 4.32%
  This is wet, low in quality and mixed with over 4% of salt.
Messrs Walker admitted that bones had been in stock since the previous July or August, and that in order to keep down vermin and prevent heating they had added a small amount of salt. They offered to make a reduction of 10s per ton'. 

In 1904 the lease of Bulwell Bone Mill to the Walkers was confirmed - 'Papers relating to a lease of Bulwell Bone Mill in Hucknall Torkard and Papplewick, Nottinghamshire, to William and John D. Walker; 1904-1914'. (University of Nottingham ref. Pl E12/6/15/139/ 1-16)

 In 1918 The Mining Journal, Volume 11, reported the formation of a new company, 'J & T Walker (1917), Limited - To carry on the business of chemical manure manufacturers and merchants, and bone crushers and merchants, glue and grease manufacturers and merchants. Nominal capital, £40,000, in £1 shares'.

In 1927 The Official Guide to Nottingham (The Queen City of the Midlands) described the 'Bone-Glue Business - 'The bone-glue industry originated in Nottingham over a hundred years ago, and to-day is of extensive proportions, more than 500 tons of bones being brought into the district every week for conversion into glue, animal fats, and manures. In the earlier days the trade consisted merely of the rough grinding of bones so as to make them suitable for application to the land. Later on bones were boiled in open pans to extract fat and glue, and then, as science progressed, they were auto­matically sorted over to extract iron and rubbish, all those except the marrow bones passing to grinding mills, and thence to the benzene extractors to have the fat taken out. This fat is sold in large quantities for the making of soap, glycerine, and stearine. The bones, on coming out of the extractors, are dry-cleaned and polished, and afterwards go to the glue extractors. Amongst the many different qualities of glue manufactured are cake glues, powdered glues, liquid glues, size, etc, used in such trades as decorating, box-making, joinery, cabinet-making, match-making, and sand-paper and emery cloth manufacture, as well as in the paper and textile trades.
The bones, having had the glue extracted, are taken to another portion of the works to be dried and finely ground for manure, and are sold as artificial manures with a guaranteed analysis to agriculturists at home and abroad, some of the products being treated with acids and other materials. The marrow bones are dealt with separately, and are eventually sold for button- making, tooth brush, and piano-key manufacture'.

In 1943 a practical farmer from Nottingham wrote about how J & T Walker's products helped to improve his farm lands before the Great War - 'Thirty Years Farming on the Clifton Park System - How to supply Humus, Texture, and Fertility by the Aid of Deep-Rooting Grasses' by William Lamin, 'Before the last war, we had always plenty of bones and kainit to run at, as there was Messrs J & T Walker's bone works not far away. I may say we had a hundred and sixty tons of steam bone flour the year before the Great War. Slag will do the same; but always get as high a percentage as you can, for it takes no more putting on than a low grade, and don't forget the kainit for the light land. For our light land we always preferred the kainit and potash salts to sulphate of potash or muriate of potash, as we considered the salts did the land good.
We traded with J & T Walker until British Glues bought them and closed the works down. I may say that I was always a great believer in artificial manure, and would a great deal rather spend my money on artificial manures than on cake. In fact, when I was a butcher, I used to take the two farming papers every week Farm & Home, and Farm, Field & Fireside, and I would study every experiment in artificial manures that was printed in those papers, besides making many experiments on my own account in the field'.

John Wilson has provided some additional information on John Deverill Walker who died in 1948, aged 91.
'The Walkers owned the Forge Mill, near Papplewick, and were manufacturers of fertilisers from crushed bones. Originally the family lived at Cavendish Road North, Nottingham, where the 1881 census notes John Deverill was living with his father Thomas, a widower, and other members of the family. John Deverill moved to Westlands, Clifton Road, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire in about 1931 or 1932. The 1936/37 electoral register gives the following people as living at Westlands - John Deverill Walker, Edith Nellie Walker, Ruby Walker and Joyce Walker. John and Edith also had a son, who was also called John Deverill.  John Deverill Walker kept weather records for many years, both at Forge Mill and at Westlands. He submitted rainfall measurements to the Met Office for 75 years and was their longest serving rainfall recorder ever'.

Companies acquired by BG&C after 1920 -

1920 Lomas Gelatine Works Ltd - Prince Rock, Plymouth, formed in 1914, but registered in 1899 with a nominal capital of £5,180 in 450 £12 ordinary shares and 80 £1 deferred shares. Object, to adopt an agreement with Joseph P Brown and John Brown, of the Abbey Stores, Plymouth. Private company. Glue, gelatine and fertiliser manufacturers and merchants.

Colyn Thomas describes the Lomas operation in 1902 in his notes on Millwood.

The Devon Karst Research Society has produced an interesting webpage on the Cattedown Bone Caves which includes a 1931 aerial photo of the Lamas Gelatine Works.

In 1947 the Mechanical World & Engineering Record reported that the factory was to be rebuilt by BG&C.

1920 Improved Liquid Glues Co Ltd - founded in 1911, later Croids Ltd

The history of croids glues reflects constant enterprise and change ...

'Georgee' wrote on an internet chat forum on 4th July 2009 - 'when I was a boy in Newark, there was a factory down Tolney Lane called Croid Aero Glue they processed the bones into glue. You could also grind them to make the bone in blood fish and bone meal'.

1921 O Murray & Co Ltd - established 1907, 69-70 Mark Lane, London EC3. Merchants, agents and importers of gelatines & glues plus essential oils, starches, dextrose, chlorates, casein plastics and other natural products. Trading as 'Murray's of Mark Lane'.

For example Murrays were agents for 'Dorcasine' a casein plastic made by chas horner ltd of Halifax. Casein plastic was introduced in objects from 1910-1930 as an imitation of less exotic horn. A hard, tough, light coloured material. The plastic is based on milk protein and is a obtained from the powdered casein protein, with water as the usual plasticizer, hardened after moulding by the action of formaldehyde. It is used chiefly in thin sheets and rods for making buttons, buckles, knitting needles, pens and, being easily dyed, for costume jewellery and decorative novelties.

1926 B Young & Co Ltd - established in 1806 the factory was in Grange Road, Bermondsey, they produced gelatine but later acquired the glue & size works in Spa Road from Procter & Bevington. Locally known as the 'glue factory' but because of the pungent smell emitted from the works, glue production ceased in 1900 and production switched to gelatine. spa gelatine was the leading brand. The works closed in 1981 and in 1982 the land was sold for redevelopment.

1928 The Mitcham Poultry Food Company - established in 1923 by Mr F D McLorinan and went into voluntary liquidation in 1928. Mr Herbert Kidson was appointed as Liquidator. Messrs Kidsons, Taylor and Co of 45 Kingsway, London WC2 and 1 Booth Street, Manchester, were the auditors of British Glues & Chemicals at this time. It seems likely that the Mitcham business was purchased by BG&C at this time?

1932 George Aspey & Son Ltd - formed 1918. New Station Oil Works, Neville Street, Leeds.

1933 The Standard Soap Company - Ashby de la Zouch - Soap making in Ashby de la Zouch was known prior to 1894, when a company called Harrison Frederick John & Co manufactured at Tamworth Road. Around 1900 soap operations moved to The Callis which had previously been a tannery. During the first world war, the site belonged to the Levers and later under various names such as George Aspey and C B Parsons making laundry soap powder. In 1924, the company operated as Ashby Soaps making soaps and soap powder and in 1928 it was renamed Standard Soap Company. In 1933, the site was taken over by British Glues & Chemicals which, during the second world war, manufactured bar soap and toilet soap, and part of the site was used by the Ministry of Defence.

From 1951 Personality Beauty Products Limited, of 30 Duke Street, St. James 's, London SW1Y 6D1, marketed a range of toilet skin creams, moisturising creams, foundation creams, powders, lotions, toilet & bath soaps, perfumed soaps and perfumes which were made at The Standard Soap Company, Ashby. However the 'Personality' and the 'Tabac' brands were sold to Allcock Products Ltd in 1964, although manufacture continued at Ashby.

During the 1960's, the decision was taken to concentrate on contract manufacture of other companies products in the cosmetics and toiletries industry. This specialisation proved very successful and Standard Soap is now Europe's largest contract soap and toiletries manufacturer.

In 1968 the company was purchased by Croda International Ltd and then became the head office of their Soaps Division. In 1995 the company was purchased by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad.

1935 G C Russell Ltd - formed 1906, mr c g russell was a collector and processor of waste from the Smithfield Market in London.

1947 Calfos Limited - formed in 1939 to make calcium phosphate food supplements. Calfos was the trade name for a prepared bone meal (calcium phosphate) used as a source of calcium and phosphate in foods. Prepared from degreased bones and originally used as a supplement in both animal and human foods as a source of calcium and phosphate. It is no longer used in the UK because of the risk of transmitting BSE. But it was also used as a plant fertilizer, a slowly released source of phosphate.

In 1946 the spectacular benefits of Calfos had been recorded in 'The Prescriber' Volumes 40-42, 'Calfos. One of the greatest obstacles to the successful administration of minerals is that in most forms they are not easily assimilated. A further difficulty has been the failure to realize that if calcium and phosphorus are to be absorbed and retained in the body, they must be administered in adequate quantities and in correct proportion to each other. Extensive Laboratory research followed by clinical experiments has established that neither of these difficulties arises with Calfos, since it contains calcium and phosphorous in the natural proportions and in the most readily assimiable form.
Laboratory research and similar experiments have established that there is no difficulty in the digestion and storage of vital minerals when administered in the form of Calfos. The reason is not far to seek, for it represents the entire range of minerals in the natural ratio found in bone. Calfos is prepared from selected fresh ox bone by a process which removes essentially all organic tissue, leaving white, sterile, micro porous residue. The main constituents - calcium and phosphorous, together amounting to nearly 82% - are present in the same form as in the original bone. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in Calfos is the same as in bone itself — namely, 2.2 : 1. The importance of this fact in the correction of a calcium deficient diet has been emphasised by biochemical research.
The mineral matter in Calfos is completely soluble in hydrochloric acid. This indicates that its calcium and phosphorus content will dissolve in the gastric juices, and, owing to the fine porous structure of Calfos, the rate of disintegration is even. (Calfos Ltd, Imperial House, Kingsway, WC2)'

The brand is still sold today by Influx Pharmaceuticals. The Influx website tells us 'the company was established in 2003 and has grown to become one of the leaders in manufacturing Dietary / Functional Food / Nutraceuticals products. It's mission is to be a prominent player in health care industry with the help of our esteemed customers, service, quality along with ethics of business.
We also have FDA approved technical personnel as consultants with loads of experience in this field.
Influx Pharmaceuticals, 2 Unique Compound, Gulshan Nagar,  90 ft Road, Gandhi Nagar,  Off Linking Road, Kandivali (West). Mumbai 400067. Maharashtra, India'.

1959 Wm Oldroyd & Sons Ltd, Ditton, Widnes - started gelatine production in 1866.
In 1959 the Rubber Journal reported, 'British Glues & Chemicals, one of the markets' favourite takeover stocks, turned a bidder recently and bought a 50% participation in Wm Oldroyd & Sons, gelatine manufacturers, of Widnes?
Clarence Noel Silvester, 6 Deanery Close, Chester, born 16 Dec 1927, BSc Sheffield 1949; Dip Chem Eng London 1950; Works Manager, Wm Oldroyd & Sons Ltd, 1962.

In 1959 Wm Oldroyd & Sons Ltd purchased Cleveland Products Co - Cargo Fleet Road, Middlesbrough. Manufacturers of Ossein gelatine from 1907.

In 1962 Oldroyds and Cleveland became wholly owned subsidiaries of BG&C.

1960 International Protein Products Ltd, Plymouth.

 Formed in 1960 to exploit the chayen impulse protein process, edible protein from peanuts.

In 1959 'The New Scientist' picked up on the Chayen process with an article highlighting a scientific breakthrough.

The appointment of the General Manager Dr Rosen was announced in the in Journal of the Royal Institute of Chemistry in 1960.

'Nature', on the 26th March 1960, commented, 'a recent report from British Glues and Chemicals Ltd, reflects the increasing interest in leaf protein; the Chayen impulse process, introduced a few years ago by this firm for the disintegration and extraction of bones and animal fats, has now been applied to a variety of other materials, including oilseeds, such as groundnuts, and grasses. The principle of this method lies in the use of shock waves of sufficient intensity and frequency to burst the tissues and cells of biological materials; it is illustrated by the depth-charge technique used in anti-submarine warfare ... the report states that 100 tons of fresh grass ... treated by the Chayen method yields about 2¼ tons of edible protein'.

See also 'The Industrial Production of Edible Lipoprotein' by A R Pike, Works Manager, International Protein Products Ltd - The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health. 1963; 83: 167-169.

Production was reported in The New Scientist in 1962. The Chayen opportunity was described in the humanist in 1962.

The production plant at Plymouth using peanuts as feedstock was commissioned in April 1962.

The operation never became profitable and was closed in 1968.

In 1980 in 'Advances in Food Research', C O Chichester commented on the demise of the process ...

1961 The British Gelatine Works Ltd, Luton, formed in 1899 and started to make photographic gelatines in 1900. An associate of C Simeons & Co Ltd, founded in 1874 and manufacturing soap, amongst other things.

An illuminating article in The Photographic Times of 1906 describes the process of gelatine production at The British Gelatine Works ... this is well worth a read but remember, this spanking new factory, only four years old, was probably very different from the 'goings on' that could have been witnessed at The Acton Bridge Factory of The Weaver Refining Co Ltd around the same time?

'The British Journal of Photography Annual' of 1933 noted, 'Reference may fittingly be made in these pages to the photographic gelatines made for the manufacture of all descriptions of sensitive material for photography by The British Gelatine Works Ltd, which firm, as C Simeons, has been engaged in this branch of manufacture for more than 30 years. Their works at Luton cover about 10 acres, and include the most up-to-date machinery for production of gelatines of the extreme purity required for photographic manufacture'.

1964 B Cannon & Co Ltd - Cannons of Lincoln were an associate of Booth & Co (International) Ltd having been acquired pre WWI by the Booth Group. They made glue and gelatine; but there was also some fellmongering or leather making done at the Lincoln site, but this operation was closed in 1917 when Alfred Booth bought into the Pavlova leather syndicate. Booths were a long established group merchanting in leather and involved in steamships and originating in Liverpool.

Cannon's glue and gelatine business was acquired by BG&C in 1964 in an exchange. The packet size business was sold back to Booths, thus promoting and exploiting the different company specialisations.

The original Bernard Cannon company was listed in the Kelly Directory of Lincolnshire in 1880 and they were advertising 6d packets of gelatine for blancmange in 1883.

As early as 1882 Cannons were advertising in John William Martin's, 'Float Fishing and Spinning in the Nottingham Style. Being a Treatise on the so-called Coarse Fishes, with Instructions for their Capture' - 'Cannon's Glue Powder'. Sold in 1d packets - equal in strength and quality to the best glue made. Useful in every house. Dissolves immediately in boiling water. Sold by Chemists, Grocers, Oilmen and Stationers. Can be obtained wholesale or from - B Cannon & Co, Manufacturers, Witham Leather, Glue and Parchment Works, Gaunt Street, Lincoln, England.

In 1883 they were establishing their specialisation in the paper trade. The Printing Times and Lithographer: an illustrated monthly technical and fine-art journal of lithography, typography, engraving, papermaking and the auxiliary trades - 'We are therefore pleased to record that B Cannon and Co, Gaunt Street, Lincoln are about to offer to the trade a new glues which, on account of its strength and elasticity, will be found particularly applicable to the manufacture of composition rollers. In the same year they were selling at the great exhibition in Cork.

In 1892 Cannons were selling sanitary size ... there were endless applications for the output from the Gaunt Street Works.

The antiseptic properties of size were being successfully exploited in the USA in 1904 in sheepdips.

In 1906 Cannons were establishing a reputation in Ireland and B Cannon & Co were doing a brisk trade in 'Irish Glue' in the USA where they had agents in Michigan.

William  Joseph Cannon advised George Booth on war supplies in 1915. George Booth, on secondment from the Booth Group, spent five months working unpaid at the foreign office trying to sort out military supply situation and in the same year George was invited to be a Director of the Bank of England.

In 1921 The Chemist and Druggist: the newsweekly for pharmacy: Volume 94 reported - 'Stocks of gelatine and glue valued at £30,000 were destroyed by a fire which broke out on the premises of B Cannon & Co Ltd of Lincoln, on December 28th'.

Had the Cannon operation moved to yorkshire by 1981?

There were other companies associated with BG&C ... we know little about them?? -

1964 R Pintus & Co Ltd - founded 1907.

G A Shankland Ltd  - started before 1916.

'Eynsham: Economic history', A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 12: Wootton Hundred (South) including Woodstock (1990)  - 'The surviving Eynsham Mill on the river Evenlode was occupied some years after the First World War, by G A Shankland Ltd who ground bones there for glue manufacture; by then it was known as Isis Mills'.

Chemical Age: Volume 9 1923 - SHANKLAND (G. A ) LTD, Eynsham, chemical manufacturers (M 11/8/23). Registered July 19th £18,000 debentures charged on properties at Eynsham etc, also general charge * Nil. January 12th 1923.

The business was up for sale in 1925. Did BG&C buy them in 1925?

Alfred Fairclough Ltd - originally formed in 1923, since 1962 called J H Fairclough Ltd.

In 1923 The Chemical Age, Volume 9 recorded - 'New Companies Registered - ALFRED FAIRCLOUGH LTD, Daisy Works, Daisy Walk, Sheffield. Dealers in bones, animal products, hides, fats and the like; glue, gelatine and fertiliser manufacturers and merchants, bone crushers, grease manufacturers, etc. Nominal Capital £1,000 in £1 shares'.

 The Tees Refinery Co Ltd - originally the Tees Bone Mill Ltd - formed 1910 at Thornaby-on-Tees.

Bulmer's Directory of 1890 for Thornaby-on-Tees listed The Tees Bone Mills, Bridge Street as Chemical Manufacturers, with Mr John Fowler as Manager.

In 1968 'The History of Thornaby' by Laurence Peter Ottaway, noted - 'The Tees Bone Mill Company manufactured fertilisers and manure out of crushed bones. They were well known in North Yorkshire and South Durham for their excellent product, and well known locally for their horrible smell! They also produced hard and soft soaps, sold from the Humber to the Tyne. The mill was at the back of the Bridge Inn, people crossing the bridge had to put their handkerchiefs to their noses, for the terrible smell and dust coming from it. Adjoining the Bone Mill was the Oil Cake Mill, adjoining the Oil Cake mill was Appleton's Flour Mill, now Clevo'.

---

In 1952 'British Enterprise' by Alexander Howard & Ernest Newman described the essence of British Glues & Chemicals as team spirit.

In 1966 'History of the Modern British Chemical Industry' by D W F Hardie & J Davidson Pratt described BG&C just prior to the Croda takeover - 'The firm's products include glues, gelatines, adhesives, soaps, fertilisers, fats and feeding stuffs. They are also merchanting through O Murray & Co Ltd. Capital employed £4m. Employees 2,000. ABNC member. Berkshire House, 168/173 High Holborn, London WC1.

'The Gelatine Handbook: Theory and Industrial Practice' by Reinhard Schrieber & Herbert Gareis, 2007 traced the history of gelatine manufacture in Great Britain. BG&C developed very successfully and in 1964 was the largest gelatine manufacturer in Europe. From 1949 to 1958 investment in modern bone degreasing plants gave them quality advantages over imported Indian bones. There were associates in Austria, Canada, Netherlands and USA. In 1968 Croda acquired BG&C. The BSE crisis hit Croda and in 2002 the Luton factory was closed and in 2004 Widnes followed.

The Players.

Chairmen - Mr Walter S Corder (1920)            MD - Harold Cotes & Roger Duncalfe

Mr Tom Walton (1921-46)

Sir Roger Duncalfe (1946-57)

Harold Cotes (1957-61)                                     MD - Israel H Chayen

D N Walton (1961-68)                                       

Tom Walton (1879-1953)

After the failing health of the first short lived Chairman of the board, Mr William S Corder, a giant appeared on the scene ... Tom Walton FRA ...

Tom Walton was an accountant and a partner at the Manchester firm, Walton, Watts & Co, but he was also Chairman of Charles Massey & Co, the largest of the subsidiary BG&C companies. In 1921 Tom Walton was appointed Chairman of one year old company, after the retirement of W S Corder. As an accountant Tom not only understood the Balance Sheet figures, he also understood the economic reality which confronted his company, his country and the world after the Great War ...

It is difficult to imagine a less auspicious time to start a new company ... it is difficult to imagine the survival of British Glues & Chemicals during those first twenty years without Tom Walton's impressive leadership ... tom walton's analysis of the business & economic reality of the 1920/30s proved to be spot on ... why was nobody listening? ...

In 1943 Tom Walton found himself on the P&L Committee of the ICAEW. Surely there, in such august company, his influence could be heard and seen? Perhaps in the recommendations to the Cohen Committee on Accounting Principles which led to The Companies Act, 1947? Not at all!  john edwards, explained the stitch up! Company Accounts and the trades they summarised became increasingly important for government revenues & associated interest group bribes. It was the accounts that summarised the wealth creation process. The Company became a target for -

 tax - wealth was the source of tax revenue ... there was no money in bankruptcy!

 regulation - 'restraint of trade' layer upon layer of added costs for the company in return for votes for the government ... there were no votes in a successful BG&C! 

Every nook and cranny of the plc became a target ... the excuse? ... 'fair' taxation, 'unfair' prices, 'health & safety', 'fair' pay and employment practices, exploited customers ... never mentioned was Tom Walton's 'sustained intelligent effort' ... as Noguchi & Edwards suggest, the jury was packed with corporatist sympathisers, best understood as a reflection of the changes in social attitudes stimulated by World War II, which brought about unprecedented mobilization and control over resources to be used by the Welfare State!

 NB A dictionary definition of corporatism - 'The organization of a society into corporations or representative interest groups and the exercising of political control over their activities.
Thus the central core of the corporatist vision is not the individual but political control. Corporatism is based on a body of ideas that can be traced through Aristotle, Roman law, Catholic social philosophy, feudal social & legal structures. The state in the corporatist tradition is thus clearly interventionist and powerful.
The general culture heritage of Europe from the medieval era was opposed to individual self-interest and the free operation of markets. Markets and private property were acceptable only as long as social regulation took precedence over such sinful motivations as greed. There was a distinct aversion among rulers to allow markets to function without direction or control by the state, in other words there was a derogatory 'laissez faire' interpretation of Adam Smith.
This was at odds with the Anglo Saxon tradition of customary Common Law and individual freedom which led to the industrial revolution and Adam Smith's clear explanation of the industrial revolution where individual 'moral sentiments' underpinned 'the wealth of nations'.

Tom Walton had lived through the tragic mess the state bureaucrats had made by their interference in free trade and markets in the 1920/30 ... it beggars belief that he would be supporting the dramatic extension of state hubris into business affairs following the 1947 Act ... ?

Tom Walton retired as Chairman of BG&C in 1946 and died in 1953.

Harold Cotes (1885-1974)

William Cotes & Sheppy Adhesives Ltd. In 1887, William Cotes became the company's Glue Production Superintendent - a position he was to hold for many years. His son Harold worked in the company's Glue Department for a short time, but he was destined for a much greater career ... he was largely instrumental in forming the internationally renowned British Glues & Chemicals Limited, one of the largest producers of glues and gelatine in the world.

In 1904 at the age of 19 years, Harold Cotes went to Newcastle-under-Lyme as Works Manager to take charge of a glue factory owned by Charles Massey & Sons Ltd. 

From 1920 to 1960 Harold Cotes was Managing Director of BG&C. Initially as joint MD with Roger Duncalfe and then in 1929 as the sole MD.

In 1928 he was President of the international association of bone glue manufacturers, EPIDOS.

In September 1957 Harold Cotes became Chairman of BG&C.

In 1961 he was succeeded as Chairman by D N Walton and as MD by Israel H Chayen.

Harold Cotes died in 1974 at the age of 87.

Sir Roger Duncalfe (1884-1961)

Born in 1884 at Tettenhall, Staffordshire. Son of Alfred Richard and Sarah Elizabeth Duncalfe, Perton, Wolverhampton. Married in 1912, Irene Frances Beddall.  Died Aril 15th in Poole, Dorset after a distinguished career. Knighted in 1951. President of British Standards Organisation 1953-56. President, International Organization for Standardization, 1956–58. Chairman British Glues & Chemicals Ltd, 1946–57 (Director, 1929–46, Joint Managing Director, 1920–29).
Educated at Tettenhall College, Wolverhampton & Nottingham University College.
Address, Greystones, Western Avenue, Branksome Park, Bournemouth. Canford Cliffs 78855.

 On June 23rd 1949 The Board of Trade set up a Standardisation Committee to explore the savings in production costs, guarantees for the consumer, obstacles to change and consumer choice.
Terms of reference - 'To consider the organisation and constitution of the British Standards Institution, including its finance, in the light of the increasing importance of standardisation and the extended size and volume of work likely to fall on the B.S.I. in future and to make recommendations'.
- Mr Geoffrey Cunliffe agreed to act as Chairman of this Committee, and the BSI promised their warm co-operation in its work. The other members of the Committee were -
- Sir William Palmer, KBE, CB, British Rayon Federation.
- A V Nicolle, The Automotive Engineering Co, Ltd.
- Roger Duncalfe, British Glues & Chemicals, Ltd.
- E P Harries, Trades Union Congress.
- O W Humphreys, General Electric Co, Ltd.
- Sir Ernest Lemon, Chairman of the Ministry of Supply Committee on Engineering Standardisation.

On July 21st 1953 The Ministry of Housing & Local Government set up an Committee on Air Pollution. Terms of reference - ‘To examine the nature, causes and effects of air pollution, and the efficacy of present preventive measures; to consider what further preventive measures are practicable; and to make recommendations'.
- Sir Hugh Beaver, MInstCE, MIChemE (Chairman).
- Miss A D Boyd, BA, FSWHM, Housing Manager, Rotherham County Borough Council.
- Dr J L Burn, DHy, DPH, Medical Officer of Health, Salford County Borough Council.
- S R Dennison, CBE, MA, Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
- Sir Roger Duncalfe, Chairman, British Glues and Chemicals, Ltd; Chairman of the Federation of British Industries Technical Legislation Committee and Vice-President of the Federation of British Industries.
- Professor T Ferguson, MD, DSc, Chair of Public Health and Social Medicine, Glasgow University.
- Dr G E Foxwell. DSc, FInstF, MInstGasE, MIChemE, President, Institute of Fuel.
- Dr R Lessing, PhD, FRIC, FIastF, MIChemE, FInstPet.
- G Nonhebel, BSc, FRIC, FInstF, Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited.
- C J Regan, BSc, FRIC, Chemist in Chief, London County Council.
- Professor O G Sutton, CBE, DSc, FRS, Chairman, Atmospheric Pollution Research Committee.

George E Bates (-)

Educated at The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe from 1948 until 1956. Jesus college, Cambridge (1958-61) after 2 years national service. Joined British Glues & Chemicals Ltd from university and became first company secretary 1961-9. Moved to Croda's Head Office after company takeover, based in Yorkshire. Appointed a Director of the company in 1971, remaining Director and Secretary until retirement in 1991. One daughter, Eleanor, born in 1970 - married to Mat Chandler who works for Nestle in Bulgaria as their financial controller - they have 2 sons - Theo (6) and Logan (4).

Israel H Chayen (-)

In 1953 I H Chayen and D R Ashworth developed an impulse rendering process. See - 'The Application of Impulse Rendering to the Animal Fat Industry' - British Glues & Chemicals Ltd. Imperial House 15-19 Kingsway London, WC2 - 'The impulse rendering process consists of mechanical rupturing of membranes of fat containing cells by high speed impulses transmitted through the medium of a liquid. It has been developed mainly for degreasing animal by-products in such a way as to preserve the quality of the fat and protein. The degreasing of bone and soft fat is described in detail, and brief reference is made to possible applications in the recovery of oils from fish, fish livers, vegetable fruits and seeds'.

Tony Stroud worked for Israel Chayen and John Bewley, his Production Director, for a couple of years. Israel was remembered as quite an entrepreneurial Managing Director and he was pushing the development of gelatine from chrome leather residues selling to the photographic industry in the UK & US. Tony was based at Bermondsey where the production unit was run by a chap called Blenford, most of the gelatine went to the sweet and jelly factories.

Interestingly, a side business was selling grease from bones to the fish & chip shops in the North of England ... in the South they used oil ...

Tony also worked with Israel's newly graduated daughter researching a gelatine & fat free ice cream. Gelatine was used widely in the ice cream business in those days and it was suggested that protein ice cream free from animal ingredients might be popular. Unfortunately the experimental ice cream which was made from grass extract, turned out to be gray ... very tasty but unmarketable!

D Neville Walton (1912-) Mr Tom Walton's son Mr D N Walton FCA was appointed a director of BG&C in 1950 and became Chairman in 1961. He resigned after the Croda takeover in 1968.

From The Accountant Vol 157 - 1967 - 'Mr D N Walton, fca, is a partner in the firms of Walton, Watts & Co, Chartered Accountants, of Manchester, and Thornton Baker & Co, Chartered Accountants, also of Manchester. Born in Hale, Cheshire in 1912, Mr Walton was educated at Haileybury and was articled to his father, the late Mr Tom Walton - who was Vice-President of the Institute from 1938-42 - and to the late Sir Arthur Cutforth, of Deloitte, Plender, Griffiths & Co. He was admitted to membership of the Institute in 1937 and became a partner in Walton Watts & Co in 1946, after service throughout the Second World War in the Royal Artillery in the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Italy. He became a partner in Thomas Baker & Co in 1963. A committee member of the Manchester Society of Chartered Accountants for many years, Mr Walton was President of the Society in 1964. He was also a former President of the Manchester Chartered Accountants Students Society. Outside his interests as an accountant in practice, Mr Walton is chairman of British Glues & Chemicals Ltd and takes an active part in the United Voluntary Organisations of Manchester and Salford'.

Neville Walton was a keen sportsman and excelled at hockey, playing for his local club Bowden and for Cheshire between 1939-61. As a goalkeeper he competed for his place with a playing friend of my father's, my adopted 'uncle', Cyril Harrison from Winnington Park! The Cheshire hockey side in 1953 was great and I remember avidly watching them all on several occasions.

Time Magazine - Science - Mechanical Cow - Monday Sept 28th 1959 - 'Millions of mankind are starved for protein in the midst of plenty; protein exists in grass, leaves, and even weeds, but in a form indigestible to human stomachs. Most widely used device for converting protein into edible form is the common cow. But in many tropical areas, where protein starvation is most acute, cows are scarce and do not thrive. Last week, in London's industrial East End, British Inventor Israel Harris Chayen of British Glues & Chemicals Ltd proudly displayed a climate proof mechanical cow. Chewing its cud with the rumble of a bomber squadron, the 50ft machine briskly chomped up vegetable matter at one end and spewed out at the other edible, nutritious protein in the form of a flour.
The central element of the machine is the impulse Tenderer. A stream of water carrying animal or vegetable matter is fed into it. As the water flows through, beaters moving with a linear velocity of 22,000 feet per minute produce a series of shock waves at the rate of 35,000 per minute. These shock waves, travelling through the water, break open the cells in much the way that a depth charge can crack a submarine's hull, and the cell's contents - mostly water, protein, and fat or oil - spill out. The slurry is passed through a screen and centrifuge to remove fibrous material and insoluble carbohydrates. Then the protein is separated from the oil by commercial solvents and dried. The result is a white, odourless, tasteless powder, which can be baked into bread or added to almost any food. Two ounces a day is enough to complete a man's diet, and the cost is only a few cents.
The impulse Tenderer is actually more efficient than a cow, since it diverts none of its food to its own uses. One hundred pounds of ordinary freshly cut grass yield 3 to 4 lbs of protein, 8.5 lbs of fibre and ½ lb of syrup containing vitamins, hormones and steroids. The fibre can be made into various sorts of fibre-boards or used for fires in fuel poor countries that burn dried cow dung. Chayen's machine can also digest ferns, weeds and leaves of jungle trees.
In Nigeria, a leading export is peanuts. When oil is extracted from peanuts by normal methods, the residue is a rough oil cake, fit only for animals. But a few of Chayen's mechanical cows could digest Nigeria's whole crop, extracting both oil and edible protein. The oil and other by-products could be exported, earning as much money as exporting the peanuts whole, and the protein could be retained to correct Nigeria's protein-deficient diet. A machine digesting four tons of peanuts per hour would cost only $700,000 and it would supply enough protein for a city of 250,000 people. 'It is no longer inevitable' says Chayen, 'that the majority of the population of this earth should suffer from gross and chronic malnutrition. There is abundant protein for all, growing around them. They now have the means with which to help themselves'.

Annual General Meetings

'The Times of London' reported the progress of British Glues & Chemicals at their Annual General Meetings -

1920 - Objects & Advantages of the Amalgamation - Mr Walter S Corder in the Chair.

Response to the Prospectus. The first Statutory Meeting recorded the gratifying response of the investing public to the prospectus. The combined experience of the directors would secure cost savings from the implementation of best practice throughout the group.

Output & Coordination of Activities. Output from all the constituent works had been maintained and in future the coordination of output and activities from Head Office would be valuable. There was every indication of continuous and increasing demand. The focus on R&D was already bearing fruit and customer orientated science was the future priority. Exports were rapidly increasing and world wide connections will help in the event of any general trade depression.

Liquid Assets. Your Directors have no hesitation in advising that liquid assets are more than ample for the company's requirements.

The Board's Policy. The amalgamation was most definitely not based on exploiting the consumer by stifling competition and raising prices. Although by far the largest company manufacturing our particular products in the country the company was not a monopoly, and competition was a stimulus. Market prices were paid for all raw materials, but activities would be organised to minimise transport costs. Already a similar business in fats, fertilisers, glues & chemicals in a different part of the country was under negotiation for purchase.

Importance of Scientific Research. Before the war British industry was suffering from a lack of imagination and too great a reliance on empirical methods and far too little understanding of the science of our business. Science and eternal vigilance was now to be focused on 1 maximising output, 2 minimising waste, 3 highest quality, 4 lowest costs & 5 most favourable selling prices. At the head of the company were Managing Directors, Mr Cotes and Mr Duncalfe, who were blessed with comparative youth, great energy & push yet tactful & conciliatory and had a modern attitude to science ... upward & onward ...

1921 - Difficult Trading Conditions - Mr Tom Walton in the Chair. Lomas Gelatine Works Ltd at Plymouth was purchased and Mr E R Brown joined the Board.

Conservative Financial Policy. Balance Sheet valuations were prudent at cost or market value which ever were the lower. A considerable investment of £127,925 in War Stock was naively assumed to be readily realisable. There was a credit for £127,025 payable by 'the vendors' for the period from January 1920 when their businesses were taken over.

Profit & Taxation. Inevitably the Inland Revenue were demanding an intolerably complex mix of 'Corporation Tax' dependent on 'Excess Profits Duty' and 'Income Tax' which was dependent on 'Corporation Tax' and 'Excess Profits Duty', so the difficulty of giving an estimate could be appreciated! 

The Industrial Slump. The miner's strike, deflation & taxation took there toll. The costs of the Great War were real and could not be alleviated by striking labour unions, probably the blackest period in history for British trade. There was no ordinary dividend but in building up a large organisation in such circumstances it is the duty of every Director to adopt a conservative policy. Idle factories through lack of coal and fixed overhead cost were more than offset by improved efficiencies & stringent economies. The dissipation of capital and the consequential dislocation of international finance has ruined our prosperity but I am confident that hard work and low prices will stimulate demand. Recovery will follow if bankers can find a way to provided foreign credit.

High Wages & Unemployment. It is futile for workers to expect wages which will result in prices which make goods impossible to sell. Stoppages and unemployment will be inevitable. A spirit of cooperation has prevailed as wages of loyal employees have been reduced.

1922 - Depreciated Exchange Rates & War Debts - Mr Corder relinquished the Chairmanship, Mr Tom Walton took over.

The Year's Loss. £64,000 loss reflected the depression of British industry. It was deeply disappointing that deflation and the time lag between raw material purchases at high prices and product sales at lower prices resulted in a loss. Continually falling prices and losses on stocks were aggravated by the coal strike. Devaluation of belligerent nation exchange rates resulted in diminution of exports. 

The Taxation Burden. Payments were made to discharge 'the vendors' liabilities but negotiations throughout the year have been unable to effect a settlement with the Inland Revenue. An unnecessary, time consuming, complex technicality on the Excess Profits Tax.

Trade Prospects. It would be wrong to expect any general improvement in trade until the exchange rates and credit problems are  stabilised. Cancellation of war debt would help. American tariffs were a setback.

Transport Charges. Reductions in transport charges would help trade and the railway proprietors. Trade revival has been retarded by Imperial & local taxation and every pressure must be brought to bear for economies which alone can bring about a reduction of public expenditure. I might remind you that Corporation Profit Tax is an additional and camouflaged income tax thrown indirectly upon the shoulders of the ordinary shareholder almost without his knowledge.

But when the powers that be have done their part it will take individual effort & determination to restore our country to supremacy.

The Unemployment Dole. There is insufficient inducement to return to work. Public utility wages must not compete with the resuscitation of trade.

Directors Fees Waived. Relation with our work people have been of the happiest.

Hopeful Outlook. The company enjoys diversified products & markets and meets the precise requirements of consumers which is why we have escaped the losses which have hit others. Trade of this country is up against a very big fight.

1923 - Highly Efficient Works - Mr T Walton reported trading conditions continued to be very difficult but last year's loss of £64,000 was turned into a substantial profit of £36,000 as our works were brought up to a very high standard of efficiency.

Balance Sheet Figures. Capital expenditure was less than depreciation and the companies holding in subsidiary companies was yielding a good return.

A very important comment on the financial position again concerned taxation liability. It was a matter of personal regret that our professional advisers had been unable to provide any information on a settlement with the Inland Revenue.

Improved Organisation. Industrial concerns suffered from the abnormal times but there was continued improvement in our factory organisation with production greater than ever. This involved selling farther and farther afield to escape adverse European exchanges. We are not waiting for exchange rates to normalise but working with our customers, our research scientists and our specialised knowledge to discover increasing uses for our products.

Economy & Efficiency. Our MDs have again forgone their fees and taken lower salaries and commissions dependent on results. The efforts have been pleasing and even the least efficient of our factories are now obtaining better process results and geographic position has been exploited to reduce significant rail charges, running at £100,000 per year.

 Exchanges & Foreign Competition. Foreign competition cannot be on a basis of equality so long as European exchange rates are continually declining. Improved quality and productivity was the only answer. The naked truth is that nationally we are poorer than we were, so we must produce more. These remarks are not directed solely at the manual worker, everyone is involved.

Confidence in the Future. Though dividends have been been postponed by the depression the groundwork has been accomplished for the future.

Directors Mr W B B Quibell and Mr Walker are to retire reducing the Board size to twelve.

1924 - Taxation Liability Settled - Trading conditions continued to be difficult and profits are still disappointing at £6,000.

Balance Sheet Figures. Depreciation provision has again exceeded capital expenditure but all our factories are well maintained in a highly efficient condition. Due to taxation liabilities, creditors are considerably greater. Depreciation reserve has increased.

Taxation Position. Tax has hit our company very badly due to the view of the Inland Revenue that we were liable for Excess Profits Tax on profits from the date of incorporation and not entitled to repayment in respect of subsequent losses. Excess Profit Tax was paid on profits from the January take over of operations  to incorporation in May 1920. Had the legal status changed in January no tax would have been paid. To avoid the not inconsiderable distraction of time absorbing litigation in the High Court, we have settled which we feel is in the interests of the company. The travesty remains that in settlement with the Inland Revenue, Excess Profits Tax was paid when the company was losing money.

Expansion of Foreign Markets. The Board adopted a full production policy, output has slightly increased, raw material costs have risen and in general we have realised a little less for our products. The economic conditions have been difficult for our customers also.

But steady expansion of exports has been particularly encouraging. We will obviously continue to reduce costs but it is also probable that German & East European competitors will refuse to accept unfavourable living conditions and French manufacturers will tend to advance when they revert to a policy of paying off their debts by increased taxation. This country must moderate its living conditions and our Continental competitors must improve and eventually the extraordinary disparities will be removed.

New Cattle Food Products. Exports of new products have been well received - 'Churn Brand Sterilized Feeding Bone Flour' &  'Churn Brand Meat Protein'. Research has delivered products which impressed agricultural authorities, our firm intention is to pursue this research which is of tremendous importance.

Directors Fees Waived. Directors interests are yours, they are very large shareholders, and determined for ultimate success.

Directors Mr James Grimditch & Mr Ernest Quibell were re-elected.  Messrs Kidsons, Taylor and Co were re-appointed auditors

1925 - Position Substantially Improved - All outstanding tax liabilities have been agreed and paid. Our trading profit was £42,000.

Preference Payment. In view of the improved position but proceeding with caution, it is proposed that one half years arrears of Preference Dividend will be paid.

Widening Sphere of Activities. Our products are becoming increasingly well known but the Continental manufacturer still has the advantage of lower labour costs, although we have held our own.

Research continues with unabated vigour. Although over centralisation of our business is a danger to healthy rivalry in our factories. We centralise only where we can achieve effective direction and economies of scale. Centralisation v. Decentralisation policy has pros & cons which need careful consideration of waste and/or irritation.

General Conditions. General trading conditions have dominated our business and I cannot conclude we have won through. I feel our nation has not realised that the price to be paid for recovery is sustained intelligent effort. The business man's views are ignored, economists have the ear of the press. The man in the street is led to believe that he just has to wait patiently for others to find a solutions, when the truth is that the remedy rests with him, and with you and with me.

Immediate Outlook. Although we have made progress I am not optimistic in this regard.

Directors Mr E Hindley and Mr J O Neill were re-elected.

1926 - Effects of Trade Depression - The death of Mr Ernest Quibell. Regretfully a £23,000 loss, review the causes and remedies for our own company and the general conditions in the country.

Keen Competition. Trade throughout Europe is sick. Demand for our production was great during the war and for some time afterwards. This boom led to expansion of production facilities and new entrants. Maintained factory output put pressure on raw material supplies and costs rose but demand fell away resulting in low prices. The same applied in other industries. Inefficient factories in uneconomic locations were closed down and raw material arrangements have been concluded for raw material which we hope will hold.

Lower Working Costs. Hardening of raw material costs have been balanced by lower working costs. Unfortunately rail charges and coal costs are very heavy.

Research has continued to improve our products, raise extraction efficiencies and to discover new markets.

Instability of exchange rates and low wage costs for our Continental competitors continue.

Working arrangements with Continental competitors have been debated in an attempt to avoid carriage and freight costs, but we cannot interfere with the right of all to sell where they will.

New Businesses Acquired. An Irish holding has been acquired and B Young & Co Ltd of Bermondsey was purchased. And others as competitors go into receivership. We are naturally chary of increasing our responsibilities and the terms have been advantageous, while increasing our geographical position.

Liquid Position. We continue to be prudent and have avoided bad debts. Our works continue to be maintained in first class condition. However values in 1926 are different from 1920 and assets stand in our Balance Sheet at a figure exceeding today's value. The Directors will not lack the courage to recommend a capital reorganisation.

The Future. We are in the midst of a severe industrial disturbance which is impossible to exaggerate, I cannot be optimistic.

Directors continue to waive their fees and no dividend has yet been paid since 1920 on the ordinary shares.

Directors Mr K G Thomas & Mr G E Shawcross were re-elected.

1927 - An Exceptionally Difficult Year - A £12,000 loss.

The Effect of the Strike. The dislocation of industry shook the country to its foundations, the full effect of the stoppage will never be known. The coal we were able to secure was of very low quality and the quality of our production was difficult to maintain.

The Balance Sheet. New acquisitions are included at a fully worth value.

Liabilities Side Items. Losses in connection with the coal strike have been aggravated by heavy falls in the prices of fats & greases but minimise by a fall in the cost of raw materials. Fertilizer prices were slightly lower' glue a little higher, but remain unsatisfactory.

Factory Rearrangement. The purchase of the Newport Factory in July 1926 and the Bermondsey works helped our geographical position, and the latter brought a valuable hide-glue connection. Bermondsey will be remodelled to improve the efficiency of our London raw materials, but will inevitably throw out of use factory equipment elsewhere.

We have had a fire at one our midland factories, which was fully covered by insurance and production was maintained by reorganising, at slightly increased costs at other factories.

Better Prospects. I am hopeful we have turned the corner. The coal strike hit us hard but our loss was 'only' £12,000, and latterly we have secured monthly profits.

It is possible we have reached a new normality and a capital reduction may now be considered.

Mr William Cotes retires. The Directors Mr E R Brown, Mr E Boyd Quibell, Mr Vincent G S Cotes, Mr B S Adderley were re-elected.

1928 - Substantial Net Profit - The capital reorganisation received the sanction of the court on June 11th, these accounts are on the old basis.

Trading Results. £51,000 profit. Cash position transformed from an overdraft of £30,000 to a credit of £50,000. The investments in our subsidiary companies are well worth the figure in the Balance Sheet, and the growth is almost entirely due to developments at Bermondsey. Our scheme of geographical rearrangement has progressed well.

Anticipation of Even Better Fortune. Trading conditions have been better than we had hoped, but I am impelled to speak of the future with caution, remember our short existence has included a slump, railway strikes, coal strikes and a general strike. We are pleased to resume the payment of Preference Dividends, and we hope before long to make some return to our Ordinary shareholders.

Transport Charges & Rates. We are in a heavy industry and have to be concerned with transport questions. The reorganisation at Bermondsey is progressing well and saving transport costs, and where, by the way, we hope to make the best possible use of equipment from closed factories . We are large ratepayers and have been hit by duties on petrol and solvent spirit, we hope some benefit will come from The Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposals.

The Company's Cattle Foods. Agriculture is still depressed and fertilizer prices have been lower but on the other hand, glue & grease prices have risen. The trade in feeding meat & bone meals has been depressed but good progress has been made with our 'Churn Brand'. The benefits of research ought to be more widely known. Because of our diversity we are able to use our raw materials in a flexible way where they earn most profit.

Competition at home and abroad is energetic but our friendly relationships have been beneficial.

Directors Mr Walter S Corder and Mr Oliver Quibell were re-elected.

1929 - Improved Position - The whole effect of the capital reorganisation is shown in this year's accounts. Full provision has been made for depreciation where building & maintenance has not enhanced value and there remains a profit of £101,000.

The 'Dead' Factories. Geographical rearrangement of factories has progressed and during the year we have disposed on one 'dead' factory. Others are included at conservative valuations.

Growth in Export Trade. Exports are repaying pioneering work over the past nine years. Competitive ventures have entered our markets but we are confident of retaining our share of supplies. Exchanges are steadier but many countries with a lower standard of living have an advantage of low wages which we can only neutralise by quality & efficiency.

Work of the Joint Managing Directors. Results are the outcome of years of unceasing determination on the part of your MDs and their enthusiastic support. Slump, deflation, three coal strikes, two railway strikes; trying times. A brighter outlook helps us to inaugurated a scheme to aid employees in old age or permanent disability.

Mr Walter S Corder and Mr Edward Hindley, a Director since formation, are to retire due to ill health. We hope that they may long be spared to enjoy their retirement. We have already appointed younger men, Messrs B S Adderley, Vincent G S Cotes and E Boyd Quibell.

Without doubt many difficulties lie ahead but we hope good statesmanship in connection with the coal industry and other national problems will result in satisfactory solutions.

Board's Conservative Policy. £20,000 was paid into a general reserve account and 9% was paid to Preference Shareholders and 10% to Ordinary Shareholders. We acknowledge your forbearance during the long dividend less days.

Retiring Directors Mr J E Grimditch and Mr G E Shawcross were re-elected.

1930 - Strong Liquid Position - £81,000 profit.

Balance Sheet Items. Little change during trading conditions by no means free from anxiety.

Profit and Dividend. Our policy is to maintain a strong liquid position ready to take advantage of every favourable opportunity. Profit disposal to preference & ordinary dividends, taxation reserves and a further £20,000 to the general reserve.

Decline in Commodity Values. Deflation continues. Significantly our raw materials are waste by products involving considerable labour in collection they remain on a much higher basis than on the Continent. Research continues to be intensively occupied with improved methods. The London factory should be in full operation by the end of the year.

Group Assurance Scheme. This scheme in now in operation.

Confidence in the Company's Future. Friendly relation ships continue with competitors at home & abroad.

Mr Duncalfe has laid down his duties as MD passing responsibility for purchasing to Mr Adderley, he will remain a consultant. Mr Town takes over as secretary.

I do not see easy times ahead but in Mr Harold Cotes we have solidity to withstand all ordinary shocks.

Directors Mr T Walton and Mr Roger Duncalfe were re-elected.

  1931 - Profits Affected by the Fall in Values - Marketing goods was difficult at a time of serious economic disequilibrium. Profit £15,000.

Difficult Trading Conditions. Fats & oils were realising lower prices than at any time during the last 30 years at least. Throughout our particular industry the fall in product prices exceeded the fall in raw material prices and due to these two circumstances our profits have been disappointing. Dividends were suspended.

Problems in the Fertiliser Business. The sale of a small portion of the company's business, Agricultural Merchanting & Compound Fertiliser at Newark, to Messrs Doughty-Richardson Fertilisers of Lincoln, has been concluded on advantageous terms. This was not form part of our main business. In our own fertiliser business we have made progress in spite of the agricultural depression.

Our animal feeds business receives accolades from breeders and feeders. 10 years ago feedstuffs in this form were little known.

 New Forms of Manufacture. Consideration of our customers has resulted in the development of 'Cascade Glues' in 'bead' of 'drop' form.

Our assurance scheme now covers the live of some 800 of our staff., and 200 staff have pensions.

The American Proposals. I heartily welcome the proposal to help European debtors. There is much room to believe in self help as a creditor's position as regards his debtor is brightened by improvement in the debtor's circumstances. Much must be done to help Germany in her financial difficulties. An impoverished competitor is as disturbing as a prosperous one, financial default affects everyone. It is imperative that determined effort be exerted to bring about a reduction in the heavy burden of Imperial and local taxation. Enterprise would be stimulated and the development of industry assisted.

Tribute to Officials and Staff. Our fortune is dependent on national and international conditions and I do not feel touching on this subject is out of place at a shareholders meeting. But our ultimate success will be brought about by our own efforts.

Directors Mr Oliver Quibell and Mr E Boyd Quibell were re-elected.

1932 - Definite Improvement in Results - £31,000 profit.

The Balance Sheet. Goodwill has reduced by £6,600 following the sale of the Newark feeds business. Our policy is too keep resources liquid during difficult times.

Prices of Fats & Greases. Current prices are at half their pre-war level. A 10% duty on imports has not yet helped because of accumulations of large stocks. America must see the uselessness of expecting payment of a vast indebtedness, which cannot be paid in gold and trade barriers make it impossible to pay in goods. Everyone suffers during the delay.

Obviously there are other causes of the world's problems, the 'cornering' of gold and the inability to devise an alternative monetary system, and 'insulation' from protective barriers. These are two of the greatest hindrances to world recovery. Our government is taking steps to free trade within the Empire and we are working with our trade organisations to put proposals to government which should be of benefit.

The War Loan Conversion. The huge conversion scheme will help economies and our company will convert our holdings. Next must come an attack on national expenditure running at £850,000,000 , pre-war it was £140,000,000. Many of my observations may seem  remote from our immediate fortunes but financial confidence and free trade are necessary conditions for recovery.

 Preference Dividend. Payment will be delayed and future distributions will depend on the circumstances, mindful of our duty to divide profits as freely as is possible.

Directors Mr B S Adderley and Mr E R Brown were re-elected.

1933 - Increased Profits - £45,000 profit.

Success of 'Churn Brand' Products. Russian glue is cheaper than ever and stocks of glue are still far too heavy. 'Churn Brand' protein and mineral concentrates for all farm stocks, continues to make headway. We are now marketing the 'Woof Woof' dog biscuit. Extraordinarily low prices of fats and greases continue, and this together with export restriction and the vagaries of exchange rates have induced us to start the manufacture of soap.

Cooperation with  Manufacturers. 'Cascade Brand' glues are particularly popular. Our research department has developed special physical properties for these glues which may interest other manufacturers. Last year Mr Duncalfe attended the Imperial Economic Conference in Ottawa, and contributed to a presentation of the united views of all manufacturers of glues and gelatines.

World Economic Conference. Protectionism and self-sufficiency may seem a plausible route to prosperity but communications and transport make the world smaller with boundless possibilities for benefit, but I believe have contributed to our present difficulties; the artificial and short sighted regulations and manipulations and by departure from the anchorage to gold. Gold when 'cornered' has little value in securing prosperity for people. The best use of American gold is not for hoarding but for loans to finance trade.

The Outlook. No one knows what the future holds, but time will run before solutions are found.

The retiring directors were re-elected.

1934 - Gratifying Increase in Home Trade - £45,000 profit.

Excess of Liquid Assets.  There was a welcome relief in taxation after this year's budget, but the international outlook is obscure and an early improvement is not looked for. Hoarding gold is sterilised from performance of the function it served so well. All nations try to 'perform the impossible' of at one and the same time selling their produce abroad and yet refusing to buy and enjoy the produce of their neighbours.

Difficult Conditions Abroad. We were big exporters to America and the Far East but this trade has shrunk pitifully, additionally competition from Europe remains very severe. Home trade has shown gratifying increase.

Research continues and as members of an international association we have taken an active part in finding new profitable uses for glues.

The Outlook. The outlook in regard to glues is a little brighter. Our soap department has given us the advantage of utilisation of some of our own production of special fats which have been slow to sell at low prices. Cattle feeds remain extraordinarily good and fertilisers encouraging.

We are well equipped in factories, finance and organisation.

Appointment to the Board. Mr Oliver Quibell and Mr George E Shawcross are to retire and Mr F W Knibb, our General Sales Manager will be appointed the the Board.

1935 - Preference Arrears Cleared - £71,000 profit. We regret the very recent death of Mr Edgar Robert Brown, a Director since 1920.

The Balance Sheet. The accounts I am sure will be pleasing to you.

Increased profit. Our practice is to include in the parent company's profit and loss account the whole of the profit (less losses) of subsidiary companies, even though the actual payment to the parent company must await authorisation by formal resolutions of the board of the subsidiary company.

Causes of Improvement in Profit. Exchange rates, tariffs, quotas and restrictions have not at all helped our export trade. Home trade has tended to improve. Grease production and sales have increased. Glues in various forms were sold in greater quantities. Speciality glues such as 'Cascade' glue  flour for the dry distemper trade made progress. 'Croid' liquid glue is convenient for the actual user, as are 'Cascade' beads and 'Kristal' powders. Fertilisers has been somewhat slow but 'Churn' cattle feed have been in good demand. 'Fleetwing' soap powder sales have been encouraging.

Position Summarised. Production and sales have been increased by lower costs, improving profit even at lower selling prices. We are pleased to have been able to pay our preference dividends. We are alive to the necessity to profitably develop our industry.

Services of the Managing Director, Officials and Staff. I would like to express the company's very warm thanks to the MD and staff.

Directors Mr R Duncalfe and Mr Frank W Knibb were re-elected.

1936 - Ordinary Dividends Resumed - £??,000 profit. Each of our main productions has contributed to this fifth consecutive improvement.

Building Up Reserves. Our company is peculiarly subject to fluctuations and for this reason our reserve for contingencies has been built up. The disposal balance will enable the resumption of ordinary dividends.

Strong Liquid Position Maintained. Liquid assets exceeded liabilities, including provision for the dividend by £232,00.

Larger Volume of Trade. Increased profits have come from bigger volume of trade, manufacturing control and slightly increased prices. We look to glues, fertilisers and feeds rather than greases and tallows for our profits.

Coordination of Effort. Enthusiastic coordination results in accumulation of experience and fundamental knowledge of material and products. We have cordial relations with other glue manufacturers through a European organisation covering seventeen countries. Mr Harold Cotes is President of the organisation.

The Outlook. Our dividend proposal is modest but it is in our best interests that in unsettled conditions we preserve strength and so justify expectation of dividend maintenance until gradual increase.

Director Mr E Boyd Quibell was re-elected.

1937 - Larger Dividend Distribution - £??,000 profit. There has been a continuance of improved trading conditions. Technical research gets earnest attention and its benefits are continuous, expenditure is of course charged against revenue each year.

Capital Expenditure. Capital expenditure has been heavy, keeping our machinery & equipment thoroughly up to date.

Again raw material have cost more and greases and tallows have realised less, but on the other hand glues has contributed more. Cattle feeds have been stronger than fertilisers.

The Balance Sheet. Little has changed, reserves have increased and inevitably taxation is up.

Importance of Overseas Markets. Glues have yielded unattractive prices in recent years but we have not overlooked there importance in the long run. Coal and rail costs continue to escalate. But we are financially strong and look forward to the new year given freedom from world disturbances.

Conversion of Shares into Stock. The Companies Act requires shares to bear distinctive numbers. This does not serve any useful purpose, yet compliance involves considerable labour and expense. In future your existing share certificates will be accepted as the equivalent of stock certificates.

The directors have granted to all employees a week's holiday with pay, this will benefit the company as well as employees.

Director Mr B S Adderley was re-elected.

1938 - Reserves Augmented - £??,000 profit.

Changeableness in Business Conditions.

In the early years following the great war it was customary for Chairmen to assume that in time trading conditions would return to normal. But years have past and there is a growing recognition that the old order of things will not return. The new normality is changeableness, and adaptability is now required to meet each adverse influence and to take advantage of each favourable influence.

Confidence in International Trade Improvement. The huge expenditure on war preparation has contributed to current prosperity, however this money flow is disquieting due in part to its eventual cessation and in part due to the repercussions of overspending. However I believe as Government spending reduces because of the improved world outlook and confidence, international and home trade will revive.

Conservative Financial Policy. We do not expect a sudden return of stability and confidence and we believe it important to again add to reserves. There are grave dangers but the future is not hopeless. Don't look to me for prophecy but we and all nations would benefit from a better understanding.

Dividend Maintained. Although profits are lower the dividend will be maintained at last year's prudent level. Greases and tallows were again un-remunerative as the cost of palm oil, a competitive product, fell by £10 a ton.

The Company's Research Department. Our research department can give great help to all our customers. We are anxious for our research department to provided the fullest assistance on questions of animal feeding under intensive farming conditions.

National Importance of Grassland Fertility. Much of the fertility of our grasslands in the past has been provided from bone, and we have our 'Gryps' brand of steamed bone flour available. Basic slag and lime have been subsidised by the Government which has hurt the sales of alternative phosphate fertilisers.

Director Mr Vincent G S Cotes was re-elected.

1939 - Strong Position - £??,000 profit. Just a little less than last year, and reserves were again augmented. In the face of continued world unrest and especially depressed conditions in the fat and bone industry there are grounds for satisfaction.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. Recent stock exchange fluctuations have been violent. Outside investments stand at £8,750 but what the next change will be no one can tell but our conservative record will serve us in good stead.

Price Position. Prices of grease and tallow have deteriorated still further. It may be of interest to record that the price of tallow is today lower than at any time since the Battle of Waterloo, nearly 125 years ago. It is imperative to reassure our raw material suppliers that price reductions they are suffering are beyond our control. Fortunately our company is not dependent on any one commodity. Our feeding stuffs are favoured and research into nutrition continues. We had a good season for our fertilisers.

Satisfactory Results Despite Difficulties. The dark clouds hamper commerce but it is my opinion that our satisfactory result is due to foresight, courage and the conspicuous ability of our MD.

Director Mr James E Grimditch was re-elected.

1940 - Continued Progress - £113,000 profit.

Trading Conditions. During the first four months we had been giving special attention to export trade, we were ahead, greater production, increased deliveries and satisfactory profit. At the outbreak of war many of our European markets closed at once. Since then our production has supplied national needs.

The Balance Sheet. Foreign investments have been written off. We were fortunate that at the outbreak of war our foreign commitments were relatively small. Investments in Government securities have increased by £63,000 as we have supported loans. Liabilities have increased in the main due to provision for excess profits tax and income tax.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. There has been a growth in the excess of current assets over the whole of our liabilities. The year has been one of rising costs and rising prises and we have benefited, but this cannot continue indefinitely, we must be prepared.

Cattle Feeding Stuffs. I make no apology for repeating our research effort is available for the benefit of farmers and the national effort. It is at the Governments request that we are producing greater quantities of cattle food than ever in our history. Last September head office organisation was moved from London to the country. We pay tribute to our employees serving in H M Forces, an allowance is being paid.

Tribute to Management and Staff. British Industry may yet have a rough journey, but with such a team  our company may face with tranquil confidence what ever the future may hold.

Director Mr T Walton was re-elected.

1941 - 10% Ordinary Dividend - £101,000 profit.

A year of rising costs and declining supplies of raw materials. Price control on bone grease leaves no margin for manufacturers. We cooperate with the authorities in the salvage of bones and raw materials and it is necessary for increased cooperation from the community. It is a source of satisfaction that so much of our production has supplied national needs and we continue to cultivate such of our overseas markets as are still open to us.

1942 - £98,000 profit.

1943 - £97,000 profit.

1944 - £98,000 profit.

1945 - £101,000 profit.

1946 - The Times of London did not report on the annual results of Mr Tom Walton's last year as Chairman?

1947 - Mr Roger Duncalfe's Review - £217,000 profit.

A warm tribute to Mr Tom Walton who retired from the Chairmanship after 25 years.

Mr Walton remained a director and Mr H C D Lock and Mr J Macaskill both full time officials of the company were welcomed to the board.

Employees Gain from Profits. £50,000 was allocated to inaugurate a contributory pension scheme for employees.

Progress was hampered by the wartime concentration scheme, now extended to March 1948. A progressive company must look forward not backwards.

Interests in Canada have been extended through Canadian Organic Developments Ltd to a controlling interest in a Toronto business carried on by Mr Joseph H Harris MP.

B Young and Co and their spa brand gelatine had done well as had 'Croid', the soap companies, 'Murray's of Mark Lane' and 'Calfos'.

Increased mechanisation to reduce costs and improve quality was an objective. The programme totalled some £300,000 had been delayed by the fuel crisis and late deliveries. This would largely absorb available liquid resources and would call for ploughing back profits for some time.

1948 - Capital Build Up Essential to Industry's Progress - £113,000 profit.

Increased efficiency of productive effort is essential for progress. Our post-war plan for increased glue production of improved quality glue will be completed this year. The demand for fats, fertilisers and cattle feeds has absorbed all we can offer. Chinaware manufacturers have called for increased supplies of calcined bones from our Potteries factory.

Progress of Subsidiaries. B Young & Co increased turnover and 'Spa' brand gelatine is proving attractive. Calfos Ltd has experience increased demand in the pharmaceutical and food industries.  Our Turtle Oil Soap continues in high public favour. Croid adhesives has increased its product range. Murray's of Mark Lane has continued to expand. In Toronto, Canadian Organic Developments Ltd is now well established and has acquired a controlling interest in two businesses in Calgary.

Out of every £1 we receive 18s6½d is absorbed in raw materials and costs, 10½d is taken in tax, 3¾d goes to reserves and 3¾d goes in dividends.

Personnel and Profits. I pay tribute to all our employees but refer especially to uncommon men who inspire, Mr Harold Cotes and Mr I H Chayen. If our nation is to survive it must recognise to the full the virtues of men with vision to create, and men with ideas and strength of purpose to convert them into action.

This ability and economy normally results in profit but it appears in some quarters this is looked upon as antisocial. To progress it is essential for substantial profits to be ploughed back into the business to build up capital to finance expanding trade and improve plant and machinery. Under the present remorseless taxation this build up move too slowly for the resurgence that our economy so sorely needs. The 10% tax on retained profits must go.

1949 - Mr Roger Duncalfe's Quiet Confidence in the Future - £106,000 profit.

Production and Sales. We have born in mind government policy and made price reductions where possible. Our Technical Department has contributed notable this year. Our gelatine works maintained their position as a leading supplier to the photographic, pharmaceutical and food industries. New specialised adhesive have been made available. Mineral nutrition of farm livestock continues to expand. 'Super-Magnite' fertilisers have been introduced and are selling well. Our new Croid Factory was opened on April 4th 1949 at Newark. We have strengthened our export drive and turnover would have been much higher were it not for trade and currency restrictions.

Personnel and the Future. On May 55th 1949 Mr I H Chayen was appointed Assistant Managing Director.

The development of our full manufacturing potential depends on freeing trade and currency from restrictions.

1950 - British Glues Profit Increase - Profit before tax increased to £576,000 from last year's level of £266,000. £253,000 net profit.

1951 - Sir Roger Duncalfe's Review of a Record Year - Increased world demand, following the Korean War and rearmament, international conditions moved in our favour.

Personnel. There is a virility, an urge and forward drive in our group, from careful selection and training.

Consolidated Accounts, Dividends and Bonus Issue. £422,000 profit. We propose a £50,000 Ordinary stock bonus issue, a further step to bring the issued capital more closely into line with the capital employed.

Canada and the USA. Trading conditions have been good in North America. We acquired the minority shares and debentures in W Harris & Co Ltd.

Production and Sales. Turnover substantially increased. Plant efficiency absorbed rising costs and enabled us to delay price increases. Glues had a good year. 'Magnite' fertilisers and 'Churn' mineral supplements did well. Calcined bone for the famed bone China exported well. Production of photographic gelatine increased as did specialised gelatines for rayon, match, paper and abrasives. Calfos Division record record sales. Croid experienced increased demand. The Soap Division placed a new range of 'Personality' soaps. Murray Division, although faced with supply shortages, had a good year. We exported to 80 countries and visited 29 of them.

The Future. We are a world business producing and selling commodities essential in both peace and war but the future remains obscure although we are financially sound.

1952 - Taxation Level a Danger to Industry - 'Another successful year' although profit was less than a year ago. Production and prices rose initially but then prices showed a tendency to fall. Raw material prices declined more slowly.

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account. Profit before tax £821,000. Net profit was £348,000 to which our particular attention must be directed, for it must provide not only stockholders reward but also additional working capital required by a growing business.

Appropriations. £100,000 to general reserves. £80,000 replacement reserve. £50,000 pension scheme.

Dividends. 15% on increased ordinary stock after last years bonus issue.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. Sterling value of overseas assts has increased.

Taxation. UK taxation for the year was £473,000. I am greatly concerned at the danger which industry faces with taxation at its present punitive level, under a system which treats as profit the inflationary rise in stock prices and also the the sum by which inadequate wear and tear allowances on fixed assts fail to meet present replacement costs. Is it not futile to exhort industry to attain increased productivity and at the same time by excessive tax to drain away from it the essential finance?

Production and Sale. Turnover increased  by 20%. Exports increased by 40%. Production reached a new record which was handled smoothly by our factories. Our technical department again contributed notably to progress.

The Future. Strongly pressed demands for wage increases must cause concern.

1953 - Sales Decline - Accounting year switch from April 30th to March 31st.

Consolidated Profit & Loss Account. £243,000 for 11 months. £300,000 credited to the appropriations account due to over provision for tax.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. Little change.

Production And Sale. A setback in turnover. Production was cut to prevent overstocking. Oils & fats prices declined. Our new cold rendered tallow commands a premium.

Research and Technical. The Chayen Process enables fats and oils to be extracted continuously in the cold and is being used in several of our works and in Canada. We have applied for a patent.

The Future. There have been some improvements which have continued.

1954 - Improved Results - Mr Tom Walton passed away, he was a staunch and true friend.

Improved Results. Turnover increased, costs were reduced and products upgraded. Raw material supplies were more plentiful.

Consolidated Profit and Loss. Appropriations and Dividends. £ 676,000 profit before tax.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. In addition to normal capital replacement your directors contemplate spending over the next seven years some £500,000 on schemes of mechanisation, fuel saving and further process development. Due to our strong liquid position we anticipates no problems.

General. In spite of some reduction in product prices turnover substantially increased. Deliveries of gelatines and glues and fats increased considerably. The improved quality of our products counteracted to some extent price falls. Cold rendered tallow and new glues have made a marked contribution.

Despite more competition exports increased.

Research and technical have yielded encouraging results. The Chayen Process has been licensed at home and abroad.

Capitalisation Issue. It is opportune to take a further step to bring issued capital into closer relationship with the capital employed by capitalising £220,000 of general reserves. Such issues tend to create an element of uncertainty regarding Preference dividends. The full rate of 2% depends on paying not less than 15% ordinary dividend. This uncertainty should not continue, we therefore proposed that the participating rights of preference shareholders shall be cancelled in return for the capitalisation of the general reserve and its issue to preference shareholders in the form of 2 ordinary shares of 4s each for every £3 of preference stock held. This ensures preference shareholders will receive precisely the same income as now.

The Future. Trading continues to be satisfactory.

1955 - Another Successful Year - Satisfactory trading and improved results.

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account. £860,000 profit before tax.

Appropriations. Additions to reserves. Write gown of loose plant and equipment to a nominal £1.

Dividends. 20% ordinary dividend on the lager capital.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. Issued capital is now £1,365,000. General reserve after capitalisation was £435,000, after further appropriation is now £600,000. Seven year mechanisation plan continues.

Production and Sale. Sales and exports increased in tonnage and value. Raw materials have been more plentiful. Mechanisation has helped hold costs down in spite of higher wages, fuel and freight. These cost and ever growing world competition is a concern.

Research and Technical. Between the first idea, the invention, and commercial success, there is a period which demands intense application which is expensive in time and money. But this is well worth the effort. The Chayen Cold Extraction Process is licensed in the USA and Europe and useful royalties are being received.

Canada and the USA. Our companies have operated profitably.

Personnel. Morale is high. Outstanding leadership. Mr Cotes celebrated 50 years of service to the group.

The Future. We are well equipped to keep abreast of modernisation demands.

1956 - Trading Well Maintained - Mr B S Adderley passed away.

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account. £749,000 profit. Somewhat lower due to continued growth in expenses outside our control.

Dividends increased. Appropriations. £30,000 write down of British Government Securities.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. Little change. Mechanisation continues with little doubt about our ability to finance the investment.

Production and Sale.  Unremitting efforts on exports. Increased costs can no longer be absorbed. We are examining our position most carefully. Royalties continue to contribute.

Personnel. Sir Miles Thomas joined the board during the year.

The Future. Reasonably satisfactory. We must export to live but a home base is essential and depends on government policy.

1957 - Business Continues to Expand - but continued cost increases resulted in narrowing margins.

Consolidated Profit and Loss. £740,000 profit.

Appropriations. Table on page 13 shows the growth of shareholder investment during the past 12 years.

Dividends increased again.

Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Production and Sale. The UK divisional organisation inaugurated in 1949 is shown on page 10.

Glue Division. Great expansion since the war concentrated in four factories (pre war six factories). The range and quality of glue products is now far superior. High test glues are in great demand. The depot system for collection and distribution of raw materials has been reorganised and mechanisation at the works has increased. Product quality has improved from the Cold Extraction Process for greases and tallows for soap, olein and stearine, lubricants and textile dressing. An interesting innovation now commercially significant is the use of stabilised tallow in animal feeds.

For over 30 years we have been concerned with the development of mineral feeding for farm stock and today are leading manufacturers. Production of 'Churn Brand' sterilised bone flour has expanded greatly. BGC organic fertilisers from bone, skin and horn are extensively used. Degelatinised bone is converted in our factory in the Potteries into calcined bone for fine English bone china.

Gelatine Division. New installations have increased capacity at our Bermondsey factory, particularly ossein gelatine was added to our photographic, edible, pharmaceutical and technical gelatines.

Uses for Gelatines and Glues. Our products serve many industries. Jellies, ice cream, meat preparations & extracts and confectionary, wine fining and emulsifying. Photographic, paper, match and abrasive, and the artificial silk industries. Also in tub-sized papers, crown cork and water paints. Gummed paper, packaging, box making and print roller composition.

Croid Division. Specialist in Croid adhesives of animal, vegetable, casein and synthetic origin. 'Croid Aero' carries the BSI Kite Mark. 'Croid Universal' is a general purpose adhesive sold in tubes for cold use. 'Polystick' is a polyvinyl acetate emulsion of great tensile strength. 'Fabrex' is a latex based adhesive, for porous fabrics. 'Insol' is a casein glue in powder form. Croid also has a wide range of solvent glues.

Calfos Division. Calfos has made substantial progress with record sales of edible bone phosphate. This unique material is an essential dietetic factor in maternity and child welfare. It is also a valuable 'free flow' agent.

Soap Division. 'Personality' toilet specialities, especially 'Turtle Soap' are fine products which continue to grow.

Murray Division. Merchants, agents and importers of Mark Lane, specialising in gelatines & glues plus essential oils and other natural products, starches, dextrose, chlorates, casein plastic products and more.

Research & Development. This brief review of our production and selling activities has been dependent upon our ability to economically make and sell superior products. R&D have undertaken a heavy programme of work.

Personnel. Mr Leonard J Williams has joined the board from a back ground in banking and industry generally.

The Future. Indications are for some expansion but lower margins.

1958 - Sales Volume Further Increased - Sir Roger Duncalfe retires from all his business activities on the advice of his doctors. Mr Harold Cotes in the Chair.

Trading Conditions. Cost increases reduced margins.

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account. £743,000 profit.

Manufacture and Sale. Once again we produced and sold more than in the previous year. Special tribute to the sales team, total exports were again a record. North American was profitable. Glue had a good year. Demand for 'Churn' minerals and  feeding bone flour was well maintained. Sales of meat and bone meals were substantially increased. Collecting organisation was improved in the face of rising costs. Gelatine turnover increased and ossein gelatine of the highest quality has contributed. Our new di-calcium phosphate was well received. Whatever the range of gelatine Young's of Bermondsey can meet demand. Croid Division has been very active with substantial increases in polyvinyl acetate adhesive production at Newark. The Soap Division has strengthened and a new pack for 'Personality' turtle oil soap has been well received. Perfumed soap petals have been marketed and this product is now advertised on TV. Murray's of Mark Lane have experienced very keen competition but this division has never failed to make a profit.

Research & Development. The company's leading position in the industry is due mainly to our new processes and products from R&D.

Personnel. Dr R D Ashworth was appointed to the board. Mr Walter Town has retired. He is succeeded as secretary by Mr W E Joy.

Forward Outlook. Highly competitive but reasonably satisfactory.

1959 - A Reasonably Satisfactory Year - the pattern continued throughout the year.

Consolidated Profit and Loss. £631,000 profit. Dividends increased from 20% to 221/2%.

Consolidated Balance Sheet. Little to draw attention to.

Manufacture and Sale. Reduced supply of raw bones but production was a record due to success with other raw materials. Our works have been well maintained and we have steadily implemented a programme of new plant and processes. Greases and tallows experienced good demand, particularly 'Churn' stabilised tallow.

Agriculture. 'Churn' mineral mixtures sold well. Our calcined bone has a ready sale for high grade bone china.

Gelatine Division. Good year. Ossein gelatine doubled. We have acquired a half share in an old established firm Wm Oldroyd & Sons Ltd, a leading manufacturer of gelatine and hide glues.

Croid Division. Continued to specialise in adhesives of animal, vegetable, casein and synthetic origin in an ever expanding market. Polyvinyl acetates advance.

Calfos Division. Further progress with edible bone phosphates.

Soaps Division. Emphasis on product development. 'Personality Tabac' was enthusiastically received.

O Murray of Mark Lane. Retirements and new management lead to confidently hopeful outlook.

Research & Development. Difficult to add to what I have said before. We know our progress will continue to depend on scientific inspiration and application.

Personnel. Thanks.

The Future. Steady progress.

1960 - Period of Reorientation for the Industry - Mr Israel H Chayen appointed MD.

Trading Conditions. A difficult year, world market conditions reduced the price of tallows, greases & protein feeds. Raw material prices rose due to intensive competition. But ossein gelatine from home bones and Wm Oldroyd & Sons Ltd did well.

Consolidated Profit and Loss. Dividends, Consolidated Balance Sheet. £384,000 profit. Dividend maintained. Capital commitments include £400,000 for our factory to produce vegetable protein.

Manufacture and Sale. Exports were well maintained in competitive conditions.

Gelatine Division. B Young & Co Ltd had its most successful year to date.

Agricultural Products. The protein market collapsed due to substantial imports of cheap Peruvian fish meal.

Croid Division. Polyvinyl acetates again did well. There is an expanding market for specialist adhesive in the packaging and allied trade.

Soaps Division. The 'Tabac' range is now supported by extensive advertising.

Calfos Division. Expansion continued.

O Murray of Mark Lane. The new division board has planned an energetic programme.

Impulse Process Protein. In September the company announced its new process for the production of of protein isolates from vegetable materials. A production plant is now under erection in Plymouth, financed jointly with Agricultural Holdings Ltd (of the Gunson Group). A new company is to operate the process.

Research & Development. The search continues. Increased productivity with capital equipment offers great value.

Personnel. Sustained endeavour.

Forward Outlook. A world of change, a reorientation in the use of raw materials. Long term is attractive but short term costly readjustment.

1961 - Further Strengthening of Competitive Position - Sir Roger Duncalfe died, we remember his charm, purpose and integrity. I myself, have decided to retire after 60 years in the industry and over 40 years with your company. Your directors have decided to elect Mr D N Walton to succeed me as Chairman.

Trading Conditions. Production increased in volume and quality, and measures of readjustment overcame cost increases on labour, fuel, transport & packaging and profits improved.

Consolidated Profit and Loss. Dividends. Consolidated Balance Sheet. £458,000 profit. Dividend maintained. An additional gelatine company has been acquired and our Plymouth factory has been erected.

Minority Interest. In 1951 we agreed to Mr Chayen subscribing to a minority interest in a subsidiary company to exploit his various inventions. As agreed we have now bought out Mr Chayen's interest.

Manufacture and Sale. Exports. Good business.

Gelatine Division. B Young had a successful year, with photographic and ossein gelatines doing well. We acquired the business of The British Gelatine Works Ltd at Luton and its associate company C Simeons Ltd. We also have a 50% share in the continuing success of Wm Oldroyd & Sons Ltd. Last year the Oldroyd board acquired all the issued capital of Cleveland Products Co Ltd which specialises in the production of high grade ossein gelatine at Middleborough.

Glue Division. A good recovery. We degreased a record tonnage.

Agricultural Products. 'Churn' brand maintained their well established position. The animal protein market remained depressed due to cheap fish meal imports.

W Harris & Co Ltd, Toronto. The site has been requisition by the municipal authorities, we are negotiating a site price and relocation.

Calfos Division. Edible bone phosphate had a satisfactory year. Production capacity is to expand.

Croid Division. We have concentrated on technical development of polyvinyl acetate adhesives.

Soap Division. Although tonnage was up 'Tabac' range of men's toiletries were not as high as we need them to be. We make fine 'Personality' products and shareholders should always ask for them.

O Murray of Mark Lane. Profits were up after intense merchanting effort.

Impulse Process Protein (International Protein Products Ltd). The first section of the plant has been erected and is in production. The products have been well received and marketed under the 'Lypro' name. The solvent plant for the production of protein isolate should be in operation by September.

R&D. The department has been strengthened.

New Head Office. We moved from Imperial House, 15/19 Kingsway, London WC2 to Berkshire House, 168/173 High Holborn, London WC1 where better accommodation is available. We have been able to close our Welwyn Garden City office.

Personnel. Mr P W Bewley has joined the board. The improvement has not come about fortuitously, it is the result of the determined effort of our staff.

Trading Outlook. We face the future with confidence. Steady progress over the years ahead.

1962 - Increased Importance of Gelatine Business - Mr D N Walton in the Chair. Profit maintained in a difficult year which started well but deteriorated. Tallow prices fell. Tallow is extracted as a preliminary to our bone glue process and materially affected our profits. Throughout the year glue and gelatine prices were depressed by strong competition at home and abroad. Dumping of glue was claimed and anti dumping duties called for. Furthermore the 1961 budget imposed additional taxes on fuel oil and our share of the State Graduated Pension Scheme. Nevertheless profits were £462,000.

Manufacture and Sale. Pre-war we made glue at six main factories. By 1957 this had been reduced to four and has now been reduced to three, producing a greater tonnage. These three factories are supplied with bone degreased at four smaller factories which receive their raw materials, principally by road from a network of collecting depots all over the country.

The relative importance of our gelatine business has continued to increase. Five years ago we added ossein gelatine from bones to our product to our range. Ossein has different properties to hide gelatine which we have produced for many years and we were encouraged to start ossein production because we had evolved techniques enabling us to use particular parts of our own degreased UK bones instead of imported ones. In addition to expansion at Bermondsey we acquired in 1959 Wm Oldroyd & Sons Ltd of Widnes. In 1960 we purchased the whole of the share capital of The British Gelatine Works Ltd of Luton. In 1961 Wm Oldroyd acquired Cleveland Products Ltd of Middlesbrough and last year both Oldroyds and Cleveland became wholly owned. Our gelatine business thus has well sited factories at Bermondsey, Luton, Widnes and Middlesbrough and they receive their raw materials from our own UK collecting arrangements. We need to extend to the new acquisitions the policy and processes in operation at Bermondsey and Luton.

Arising from these glue and gelatine operations we produced agricultural feeds and fertilisers and mineral supplements under the 'Churn' brand.

Additionally Calfos, Croid, Murray and Soaps Divisions had a satisfactory year.

Impulse Protein. In April 1962 our new Plymouth Factory was opened. We had confronted the inevitable difficulties of new product introduction and technical points were thrown up making development longer than expected. However we are now producing and selling 'Lypro', 2 third protein 1 third oil, which is incorporated into sausages, meat products, ice cream, soups, sauces, bread and bakery products, improving texture, flavour and palatability. 'Lypro' can also be formulated as a high protein milk type drink. The complimentary solvent plant for the production of protein isolate, 96% protein has not yet been commissioned.

Finance. The company has not raised cash since formation in 1920. Modernisation and expansion has been financed internally. To repay bank borrowings and finance working capital and capital expenditure the directors are now actively considering raising more long term capital.

Abroad. In general we did export business in a hundred or more countries and are considering the impact should we join the European Common Market.

R&D. We now have additional facilities at Luton.

Personnel. Thanks.

Trading Outlook. Highly competitive. But a better balance between glue and gelatine indicates steady progress.

The Times started reporting the accounting figures in the Consolidated Profit & Loss Account and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as supplementary notes to the main report in a separate box.

1963- Mr D N Walton on the Importance of R & D - Profits appreciably better and a small increase in the ordinary dividend.

Manufacture & Sale. Glue sales have been difficult to maintain as world industrial activity has reduced. Gelatines has expanded substantially with the Cleveland acquisition. Research has giving this division a series of improved products which have been well received. Other divisions have had a satisfactory year.

Impulse Protein. The 'Lypro' process is operating efficiently and progress with marketing has been steady but slow, with the plant still working below economic capacity resulting in a first year loss. The solvent plant is currently being commissioned. Our total investment at Plymouth has been £500,000. A licence has been granted for the process to Messrs Milouot, Haifa, Israel.

Finance. As I said last year the directors were considering raising further long term capital and a £750,000 debenture issue at 6 3/4% was concluded.

Abroad. Our North American companies operated profitably.

Research and Development. The future of our business depends on our R&D filling the changing requirements of our customers. The work is organised into four separate groups, Glue, Gelatine, Protein and Croid Adhesives. It covers fundamental chemical, biochemical and nutritional studies, raw material evaluation and consumer research. Each group has its own pilot plant facilities and the work closely linked with the factory laboratories. Our aim is to lead the world.

Personnel. Our staff have worked well during a winter of unprecedented severity.

Trading Outlook. We hope improvement will be maintained.

1964 - Continuing Search for New & Improved Products - The year turned out well, profits were uo to £824,000. Ordinary dividend rises to 26%.

Gelatine & Glue Divisions. Continued improvement. Wage & salary costs increased but fuel & packaging dropped. Raw materials were tailored to production processes and more of our own cold degreased bone were used. Glue Division sold to B Cannon & Co our packeted glue size business and we acquired their glue & gelatine business thus exploiting specialisations. A cold degreasing plant started up at Dodewaard in Holland, operated by our wholly owned subsidiary NV Dodewero.

Other Divisions. Calfos, Croid Murray and Soap Divisions. All contributed. 'Personality' and 'Tabac' goodwill has been sold to Allcock Products Ltd but we will continue to manufacture the products on contract. Ashby makes a number of well known soaps under contracts of this nature.

Impulse Protein. Progress continues but the plant at Plymouth is still below economic capacity. Increasing interest in the product is being shown by the meat, bakery and confectionary trades. Protein isolate plant was commissioned towards the end of the year.

Abroad. USA listed glue & gelatine as products subjected to additional taxes and Germany retaliated with imported US chicken taxes.

R&D. Continuing search for new and improved products. Cross-fertilisation of skills.

Capitalisation Issue. To bring issued capital into line with capital employed we intend to ask your approval for a capital issue of one for every two of ordinary stack held.

Personnel. Mr Edmund Belton joined the board.

Trading Outlook. A beef shortage has recently led to reduced raw materials but we are confident.

1965 - Substantial Advances in Development of New Improved Adhesives - A satisfactory year's trading, profits slightly down at £810,000. Ordinary Dividend at 19% was up from 17  1/4%, after allowing for the capitalisation issue.

Our raw materials are obtained from many different sources but we need specific types of animal by products of the right quality for particular factories. We have tended to reduce imported materials helping the county's balance of payments. We developed a new process for UK raw materials, cold rendering, which made possible degreasing of bones for gelatine production. However for a variety of reasons UK raw materials have reduced in quantity resulting in higher prices and shortages. This cycle is slowly reversing.

Another preoccupation was rising costs, wages, taxes on fuel, transport and national insurance contributions. But against all this we were helped by higher prices.

Gelatine & Glue Divisions. The factory at Dodewaard was started up early in the year. Our people have made a first class job of this project and degreased bones have been most welcome for our UK factories. Negotiations have just concluded for a plant in Austria with local finance. Last year we bought 50% of B Cannon & Co with Booth & Co and we both expect to develop this business under existing management.

Other Divisions. Soap continues to expand. Calfos, Croid, merchanting (Murray and Pintus) have all contributed.

Impulse protein. Sales of 'Lypro' continued to expand steadily, but we still have some way to go. Our first pilot plant to operate under licence started up in Israel last October.

North America. Canadian Organisation Developments and B Young & Co of America continued to operate profitably. In 1961 W Harris of Toronto had been requisitioned by the municipality for a new highway. The amount awarded to us has not yet been determined. We have liquidated certain North American subsidiaries including CCD Processes Ltd, the company which held our non UK patents.  We feel royalty income is growing in Europe and is best handled from the UK.

R&D. New improved adhesive development has been rapid, due to increasing demands and complexity of the packaging industry. The heavy cost of effluent disposal is making improved methods necessary, considerable effort has been put into the solutions but more needs to be done.

Personnel. Thanks.

Current Year. Satisfactory trading to date.

1966 - Steps to Meet Increased Costs and Shortages of Raw Materials - Trading conditions took a turn for the worst, due to increased costs and shortages of raw materials. Profits were substantially down to £575,000, nevertheless we recommend a dividend the same as last year.

Gelatine and Glue Divisions. Continued shortage of bones led to higher costs. There were exceptional rises in the cost of imported gelatine bones and sharp increased in manufacturing costs. As is our usual practice economies and improved techniques absorbed some of these costs. Demand for our products remained good.

Raw Materials. The main factor in the economics of our operations is the cost and availability of raw materials. We have continued to use CCD degreasing to reduce our dependence on imported bones and enable us to use local bones which were previously not considered suitable. Following the introduction of new plant in Holland, another plant in Austria is due to start up later in the year. This expansion brings with it the necessity to  reset the balance of our trading activities. We will reorganise the operational structure and have brought together all our UK manufacturing and trading activities into a new subsidiary company, BGC (Marketing) Ltd.

Other Divisions. Our plant in our Ashby factory has been renewed to enable expansion of well known soaps under contract. Croid continue to manufacture adhesives from vinyl acetate, animal glue and casein. Our IPP division has pioneered the manufacture of vegetable protein. 'Lypro' has continued slowly but we are still not profitable. A production plant is under construction in Israel.

North America. Continued sales of our exports earn valuable dollars. Compensation has at last been agreed for our factory site in Canada.

R&D. We are directing special efforts towards consumer research in our main markets which are changing rapidly particularly packaging, gummed tape and man made fibres. Important developments are also seen in photographic and pharmaceutical markets.

Personnel. Selective Employment Tax is payable from September before any refunds are agreed.

Current Year. Maintenance of our current dividends would cost £401,000 instead of £235,000 last year.

1967 - Turnover Maintained Profit Affected by Adverse Conditions - Disappointing profit of £420,000 but dividend maintained as this is the last year for Income Tax relief. Turnover was maintained and more UK bone was processed. Why then have profits decreased? First, dramatic fall in the price of tallow. Second, reduced glue demand. Finally costs increased, mainly wages, fuel and power. As a result we have concentrated glue production. Newcastle-upon-Tyne closed. Newark and Appley Bridge are being reorganised to cope. Lower selling prices cut into the profitability in Holland and Austria.

Gelatine interests have continued to develop. Ashby production has increased. Croid continued with its useful contribution.

Our IPP Division remains below the level needed for profit. The future of this plant is under review.

Exports. Conditions do not become any easier particularly due to the trend to local production. But a high level was maintained and now amounts to one fifth of our turnover.

Personnel. Work becomes more difficult and complex each year.

Current Year. We hope for substantial improvement, but ...

1968- Factory Reorganisation followed by a Good Finish to the Second Half of the Year - Profit £453,000 and dividends down to 10%.

Activities of the Group. Turnover and export sales were well maintained. Tallow price remains depressed. Foot and mouth disease didn't help raw material supply. Holland and Austria have been valuable suppliers. But costs in Holland continued to rise and Austria was not yet profitable.

The re-equipment of the gelatine factories increased profitability.

Our Plymouth factory has been under review. Sales failed to meet breakeven point and in January 1968 we decided to  discontinue production after a loss last year of £60,000.

Soap, Croid and merchanting all made contributions to our profits and North American operations increased sales.

Our overall financial position is strong, the devaluation of Sterling has increased the value of our overseas investments by some £95,000.

Prospects. We have lost export rebates and tax refunds. Raw materials are still short and costs high. Reorganisation should help.

In Conclusion. Thanks.

Coda & Croda.

During 48  years of successful endeavour, an amalgamation of smaller 'out of date' companies had proved adept at applying R&D and organisational skills to the development of new specialisations and constantly upgraded products for rapidly changing markets. Two relentless forces eventually defeated an enterprising company. One was the heavy hand of business taxation and price & exchange rate manipulation which slowed investment and growth by diverting resources elsewhere. The other was the inevitable ebbing away of comparative advantage as first agriculture & associated industries lost ground and then by 1968 manufacturing industries were following ...

But was it defeat? The values and enterprise embodied in BG&C found a new home in a new company with a similar culture and welcoming synergies ...

 

On September 18th 1968 'British Glues & Chemicals' was acquired by Croda and Sir Frederick (Freddie) Wood after a hard battle which went on and on but eventually Neville Walton and advisers Hill Samuel secured a good price for a great company. Sir Freddie makes it in who's who and he built a speciality chemicals company which prospered and achieved considerable success.

BGC - house magazine - 1961 - read all about it! Fascinating insights from yesteryear ...

Any corrections and additional information gratefully received contact john p birchall

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