Runcorn Soap and Alkali Co
Runcorn Soap and Alkali Company, soap and chemical manufacturer, of Runcorn, Weston, Widnes, Winsford
c.1830-40 the firm of John and Thomas Johnson was established in Runcorn to take over the business of Hayes, Ollier and Co, refining rosin and distilling turpentine.
pre-1863 Runcorn Alkali Works, and Weston Works established.
1865 Company formed; prompted (by Charles Wigg, Neil Mathieson and William Keates) to take over the assets of John and Thomas Johnson. One of the small works acquired was the Iron Bridge Works at Widnes.
1876 Charles Wigg was general manager (see advert)
1890/1 One of many Leblanc soda manufacturers which amalgamated to form the United Alkali Co.
1908 The Iron Bridge works was acquired by M. B. Robinson and R. Hewitt to make aluminium sulphate under the name of the Alumina Co (in 1918 this company became British Aluminium Co). The Iron Bridge Works were almost completely destroyed by fire in 1951 but were subsequently rebuilt, retaining its position as the oldest chemical works in Widnes in continuous operation.[1]
1923 Runcorn closed
See Also
Sources of Information
- National Archives