Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 164,359 pages of information and 246,083 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Western and Co

From Graces Guide
1876.
1880.

of Chaddesden Works, Derby.

1876 Formerly Powis, James, Western and Co of Belvedere Road, Lambeth (see advert)

1879 Announcement of new works. 'There is being built on the Nottingham road, not many hundred yards the Cemetery, and same side, a large building in which manufacture of machinery is carried on. The proprietor Mr. C. H. Western, C.E., who has large works in the metropolis, and is introducing a branch in Derby. The machinery which Mr. Western principally intends manufacture here is that used in the cutting of wood, stone, and the like. When in full operation the works will employment for 150 or 200 hands, this cannot but improve the position of machinists in the town, and perhaps find work for townsmen who would, otherwise have to seek it elsewhere. The new erection is 150 feet square, and has a lighted roof a great height from the ground. Mr. Todd, of Derby, has done the stone work and supplied the concrete, and Messrs. Handyside and Co., the iron for the rooting, etc. Owing to a difficulty with a former contractor Mr. Western carrying out the work, himself. It intended to erect offices and outbuildings in due course. The manufactory to be called the "Chaddesden Works" and those who have the trade and interests of the town at heart will, wish the proprietor success in his uudertaking.'[1]

1879 Francis James Odling became a partner

1880 February. Advertising for staff.[2]

1880 also Max Western and Co, of Belvedere Road, Lambeth (stone moulding machine), presumably the business of Maximilian Richard Western (see advert)

1881 Employing 60 men and boys[3]

1881 Royal Agricultural Show at Derby. 'Messrs. Western and Co., of the Chaddesden Works, Derby, exhibit in motion decidedly the best selection of wood working machinery in the Showyard. Their patent Outside-cutter Moulding and Planeing Machine, of which figure 7 is an engraving, merits special notice for two reasons. First, it was shown at work driven by one of Sieman's Electro-Motors, and was one of the greatest and most attractive novelties in the Showyard, collecting no end of crowds to see the magic power of electricity. Others were more practical, their special problem being the probability of electricity superseding steam power for driving not only wood work-working machinery but their own manufacturing plant. Second, from the peculiar action of the machine as it made the shavings fly about, in its own peculiar way, turning out rough pieces of timber moulded on all sides. It appeared to many as if done by magic; the case was quite different with others, who saw that with Western and Co. machine they could just do double and triple what they now did with their own machines, and what is more to the point in times of rivalry - they could do it much better. Previous to the introduction of the above machine, an elaborate moulding, more particularly of what is termed "undercut" and worked on all sides, had to be passed through several machines, or alterations of the same machine, rendering first-class moulding of this kind more expensive than if done by hand, which rendered it doubly disagreeable to wood workers, especially those employing large numbers of expensive hands; but since the introduction of the above machine the most elaborate moulding on one or both sides, or all sides can be effected at only once through it. Another improvement is in the patent frictional disc feed, the advantages of which in comparison with the old are incalculable; and the improved manner of carrying the vertical and bottom cutters is no less important. The large assortment of band saws for all kinds of work formed an instructive collection, in harmony with the high estimation in which this old and well-known establishment is held as wood workers, etc. Of course all the exhibits shown had special reference to agriculture, being well adapted for the carpenter shops of landowners and country carpenters. In the carpenter shops of not a few of the former, a thorough clearance of antiquated things should be made, and the wood working machinery under notice substituted in its place, for were such done the gain would be incalculable, especially to tenants who have to pay interest for landlords' outlays. There is also at heavy "Reliance Air Compressor" on this stand that merits special notice. It is the best example of heavy constructive mechanism in the Showyard, reflecting the highest credit to the manufacturers and exhibitors.[4]

1882 Patent. Francis J. Odling of Chaddersden Works for improvements in gas motor engines.[5]

1884 Mention of William Ardley of the Chaddersden Works in several advertisements[6]

1895 Chaddersden Works and the cottage and land offered for sale.[7]

1895 Later in the year the British Millarine Co is advertising from the Chaddersden Works[8]


See Also

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Sources of Information

  1. Derby Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 07 October 1879
  2. Derby Daily Telegraph - Friday 20 February 1880
  3. 1881 Census
  4. Derby Mercury - Wednesday 20 July 1881
  5. Derby Daily Telegraph - Thursday 14 December 1882
  6. Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 07 June 1884
  7. Derby Mercury - Wednesday 03 April 1895
  8. Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 05 October 1895