Falk, Stadelmann and Co
Falk, Stadelmann and Co Ltd. of 91 Farringdon Road, London, EC1. Telephone: Holborn 7654. Telegraphic Address: "Lamps, London". (1937)
1881 Company established. See Salomon Falk
1882 His first sales list was dated 16th January, when he stated he had set up as a Manufacturer's Agent and Importer having supplied his clients for six years prior to that date. It is not known if he was, in those six years, working for Stadelmann's from Germany on his own account, or for the previous four years in Germany for a firm called Ungers in England.
1885 Salomon Falk was granted permission to give up his Wurttenberg nationality and to live permanently in England.
1887 The directors of Falk, Stadelmann and Co were Mr S. Guiterman, Chairman, Salomon Falk, Managing Director, and Bernhardt Thurnauer, permanent Director. Incorporated as a limited company.
1888 Glass manufacturers and importers of gasfittings, paraffin lamps, glasses, chimneys, gas burners[1]
1908 Company made private.
1914 Manufacturers of all material used in connection with lighting and heating. Specialities: oil lamps, gas mantles, electric lamps. Employees 900. [2]
Falk, Stadelmann developed into the largest oil lamp company in Britain, taking over famous names like James Hinks and Son around 1920.
The German Veritas trademark was made available to Falk, Stadelmann in London, initially for gas lamp mantles.
The brand was to became a major name in the interwar years in the UK, when Falk, Stadelmann marketed all kinds of wick and candle lamps.
1928 Incorporated as a public company[3]. Manufacturing facilities included:
- Veritas Incandescent Mantle Works at Wandsworth
- Veritas-Efesca Works in Birmingham, producing electrical switches and appliances
- The proprietary works in London making Efescaphone wireless sets and components
- Also a controlling interest in works at Rainhill making cooking and heating appliances (presumably Stoves Ltd)
In the 1930s the firm employed around 3,000 people.
1937 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Veritas Perfection and Quick Meal Oil Cooking Stoves. Blue Boy and Blue Ace Oil Stoves. Cooking Stoves for caravan use. Puritan Oil Heating Stoves. (Stand No. 506) [4]
During and after WW2, Falk, Stadelmann needed to find new ways to compete with the two largest lantern manufacturers in the UK the Tilley Lamp Co and Willis and Bates
1944. 'Mr Max Falk has retired from the chairmanship of the Company, but retains his seat on the Board. Mr Gustav Falk has been appointed chairman of the Company, and will retain his position as joint managing director.'[5]
1961 Manufacturers of incandescent gas mantles, electric cables; electric bells and bell indicators, neon luminous cable signs; lighting fixtures; industrial light reflectors; heating and cooking appliances for gas, electricity and petroleum. [6]
1962 Falk, Stadelmann and Co changed its name to Falks Ltd.[7]
Falk Stadelmann's final decline occurred after poor trading years in the late 1960s. It was taken over by Jessel Investments, who sold off all property and ceased manufacturing activities.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Post Office Directory of 1888
- ↑ 1914 Whitakers Red Book
- ↑ The Times, Jun 20, 1928
- ↑ 1937 British Industries Fair p362
- ↑ The Scotsman - Monday 22 May 1944
- ↑ 1961 Dun and Bradstreet KBE
- ↑ The Times Oct 29, 1962
- [1] Pressure Lamps Web Site