James Durrans and Sons

Foundry engineers, of Sheffield

1847 James Durrans (1821-1867) began trading in Huddersfield and registered as a currier

1863 James Durrans Ltd. was founded as a company in Thurlstone near Penistone for the production of black lead compositions.

1867 Patent taken out. Also James Durrans died.

1880(?) His son, James Durrans (1853- ), took over the running of the business

1897 James Booth Durrans (1874-1922) joined the business and sales grew extensively

1922 James Durrans (1903-1962) took over the business

1923 Phoenix Works was badly destroyed by a fire but rebuilt in a short space of time

1934 The “No. 10 Blacking”, a technical ready mixed product, was developed and seen as a major breakthrough in the foundry industry and indeed for the company; accordingly the business grew rapidly

1937 The Plumpton Mills were purchased from Z. Hinchcliffe and Sons Ltd.

1939 The company was a steel facing manufacturer; James Durrans (1903-1962) was chairman and managing director

1958 Entered the recarburisers market, which included a new graphite crushing plant built at Plumpton Mills/

1962 Following the death of James Durrans, his sons Geoffrey and Richard took control of the company

1964 Acquired Standard Pulverised Fuels

1966 Acquired William Cumming and Co

1970s Expanded abroad

2002 Acquired PMC Carbon; formation of Carbon International Ltd. in Scunthorpe

See Also

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Sources of Information

• [1] Website