Parkinson and W. and B. Cowan


































1900 On 16th November Parkinson and W. and B. Cowan was incorporated as a public company[1], manufacturers of gas meters and other gas apparatus, being the amalgamation of 2 of the oldest firms in this business: W. and B. Cowan Ltd of London, Manchester, Edinburgh and New South Wales, and W. Parkinson Ltd of London and Birmingham[2].
1907 Formed Parkinson Stove Co as a subsidiary to manufacture gas fires, gas cookers and other gas appliances.
1925 Offer of shares to the public[3].
1925 Having been developing electric meters for some time, it was expected these would soon be generating profits for the company.
1925 Parkinson and W. and B. Cowan owned 98% of the shares in the Gas Meter Co which in turn had a minority interest in the Diaphragm and General Leather Co Ltd[4].
1928 The company had expanded its business through growth of demand for its electricity meters. It was now a holding company; the subsidiary companies were:[5]
- Parkinson Stove Co Ltd
- Parkinson and Cowan (Gas Meters) Ltd
- Parkinson and Cowan (Australia) Ltd
- Parkinson Stove Co (Australia) Ltd
- Gas Meter Co Ltd
- Rotary Meter Co Ltd
- Standard Meter Co (Canada) Ltd
- Measurement Ltd
- Domestic Electrification Ltd
- Electricity Meter Manufacturing Co Ltd
New shares quoted[6].
1929 The company was renamed Parkinson and Cowan Ltd[7]