Pierpoint and Bryant
of Warrington
1909 Death of an employee, Charles Parker, from anthrax. The inquest jury found a verdict of 'Accidental death'[1]
1917 'MR. W. PIERPOINT,
DEATH OF WARRINGTON ALDERMAN.
The death is announced, at seventy-six, of Alderman William Pierpoint, J.P., Belmont, Knutsford-road, Warrington. For some years he had been in failing health, and for some months past was confined to the house. He was made an alderman of the borough in 1903. He acted as president of the Football Club, Cricket and Bowling Club, and many other organisations. He was staunch supporter of the Liberal party, and served as president of the Liberal Club, and at the time of his death he was vice-president of the Liberal Association.
He had founded, in 1874, the tanning business of Pierpoint and Bryant. Mr. Pierpoint was well known in Masonic circles.[2]
In the 1950s, the firm diversified in a surprising direction. Ewan C. Hewitt, in his revealing and fascinating autobiography[3], relates how Davy and United Engineering Co of Sheffield were approached to supply a press for producing carborundum grinding wheels. Pierpoint & Bryant wanted to enter a market dominated by three large firms, all of whom used presses made by Davy. The design work was taken on by John Beard, who had a reputation for challenging established practice. He came up with a new design of press which was less labour intensive and was 3 - 4 times as fast as the established type. It was a great success, and Pierpoint & Bryant even produced grinding wheels for the other companies.
1990 Taken over by Eagle Ottawa of the USA.