Richard Johnson and Nephew:1935 Review
Note: This is a sub-section of Richard Johnson and Nephew
Visit of the Iron and Steel Institute to the Iron, Steel and Engineering Industries of Manchester and District
Richard Johnson and Nephew Limited, Bradford Ironworks, Manchester.
The products of this old-established firm cover all classes of high-grade rod and wire, and galvanised wire. The rod mill recently put down is the most modern in the country. The galvanising department produces a large quantity of wire weekly by the "Crapo" patent process, on the latest type of plant.
Copper, copper alloys, and aluminium are also rolled and drawn in large quantities. Recently, an up-to-date, controlled atmosphere, electric annealing plant has been installed for the bright annealing of copper wire. Fabricated products include large tonnages of heavily galvanised barbed wire, stranded wires for railway and telegraph works, and aluminium steel core conductor for the "Grid" and other power undertakings; the majority of the conductors for the main lines of the "Grid" was made by this Company. Fabricated galvanised wire fences of the most modern type are also made. The Ambergate works produces the highest grades of wire for mining ropes, cycle and motor spokes, and for the spring bedding trades.
A speciality is made of heavy galvanised wire for submarine Cables — a product pioneered by the firm, and for which they still hold the premier position. Historically, most important and revolutionary changes in rod rolling and galvanising can be traced to these works. It was here that Bedson invented the continuous rod mill, and continuous wire galvanising. Cadmium-copper, now so important in traction and communications, was also introduced to consumers by this firm.
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