Beck and Co

1881

June 1888. Water meters.

At Barrington Court, Somerset.

October 1949. Beckmaster.

Hydraulic engineers and meter makers, of 130 Great Suffolk Street, Southwark, London, SE

1822 John Beck moved to London from Rotherham, setting up business as general engineers in Great Suffolk Street

1837 Company founded.

1862 J. Beck exhibited Valves for gas, water, and steam; fire-cocks, etc.

1877 Beck and Co Ltd was incorporated, general engineers

c.1880 Thomas Angus Wheatley joined Beck

Wheatley secured the designs and patents of a new type of water meter which became a staple product for the company.

1881 Association with Clay Cross Co .

The business was largely concerned with water meters and valves

1888 Producers of Schonheyders Patent Positive Water Meter.

1912 A. Ronald Wheatley joined his father in the business

1914 Hydraulic and general engineers. Specialities: positive water meters, water, gas and steam fittings.

Ronald Wheatley developed the water pump design so that the company could produce a metering pump suitable for use with petrol.

1932 Began making electrically operated petrol pumps

From 1935 specialised in supply of "Beckmeter" petrol pumps, as well as valves, fittings, etc for the petroleum industry.

1939 Bought the gas mantle factory in Mitcham.

1948 Became public company. Ronald Wheatley was chairman

1953 A majority interest was acquired by Hattersley (Ormskirk)

1953 Formation of JV with Avery-Hardoll called Pump Maintenance Ltd., a nationwide petrol pump maintenance business.

1958 Wheatley retired

1960 Acquired Tuscan Engineering Co, maker of flame-proof motors

1961 Manufacturers of "Beckmeter" petrol pumps, petrol/oil mixing pumps, valves, oil and water meters. 500 employees.

1968 Became part of Pegler-Hattersley on its formation

1970 Beckmeter was grappling with the issues of decimalisation

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