Oxley Industries
1963 De Vere Holdings, having disposed of its namesake hotel, changed its name to Oxley Industries, reflecting the name of one of its principal subsidiaries[1]. The name of Robert Dempster and Sons was changed to Oxley-Dempster, reflecting the combining of the administration of the drawing office and design section with that of Oxley Engineering Co. Acquired Dalzeil Foundry Ltd and amalgamated it with Art Reproduction Ltd; the litho plate-making section was moved to Bournemouth as Reproduction Services Ltd. Acquired Broglia Press Ltd of Bournemouth and H. Daunt and Co of Nottingham; S. E. Bray and Co was an associated company.
Also owned service companies: Carseal Ltd and C. M. I. (Underspray Services) Ltd. The hotel Royal Crescent Hotel traded satisfactorily. Kilgour, French and Stanbury Ltd exported more to the USA.
1964 Michael Lewis is chairman
1965 The main divisions were: engineering, printing and paper. In the year the group had acquired Draytal, distributors of dishwashing machines, Wallin and Rowe of Leicester, The Bell Engraving Co, Mansell, Hunt Catty and Co, maker of Christmas crackers, and a 30 percent interest in Passmill Paper Converting Co.[2]
1966 Floated a minority of shares in Oxley Engineering Ltd[3]