Francois Cementation Co
of Bentley, Doncaster
The company was established by Albert Francois, a Belgian who had been striving to improve grouting associated with shaft sinking for coal mining, as the Francois Cementation Company based at Doncaster in 1910.[1]
1919 The The Francois Cementation Company Ltd was incorporated[2]
The company began to struggle and was in need of strong direction. One of the board members, John A. Agnew, of Consolidated Goldfields South Africa asked his son-in-law, Abram Rupert Neelands, a Canadian mining engineer, to look over the company and report its prospects. Rupert produced a report which was forwarded to the board. The shareholders were impressed and asked Rupert if he could commit to the company. The offer was accepted on the basis he had 'full charge and complete control'. Rupert took over management of the business in 1921. [3]
1939 Subsidiaries in Britain included Sika-Francois and Granitese Co[4]
1941 The company was renamed The Cementation Company.