Cunliffe and Croom
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See also Richard Cunliffe
Cunliffe and Croom were best known as machine tool makers. Their machines included lathes, boring machines, milling machines, planing machines, shaping machines, gear-cutting machines.
The address was given as Manchester, they were actually located in neighbouring Salford, at Broughton Iron Works on Edward Street, Broughton. Broughton Iron Works was established by 1873.
Founded in 1864 by Richard Cunliffe, who started in very small premises, executing only the finishing processes himself, and having all castings made outside. Later the extensive Broughton Iron Works was established. In 1879 he was joined by Mr. Croom, who died some years later. Richard Cunliffe was at one time foreman at the works of Sharp, Stewart and Co.[1]
1876 'LOCAL BANKRUPTCY CASE RE CHRISTIAN HARRY LANGE.
At the London Bankruptcy Court yesterday an application was made to the court, at the instance of Messrs. Cunliffe and Croom, of Salford, machine tool makers, for the appointment of a receiver to the estate of this debtor, who carries on business at Wilson-street, Gray's Inn-lane, as lathe and tool maker. It appeared that the debtor had filed a petition for the liquidation of his affairs, but the proceedings had fallen through, and he had been subsequently adjudicated bankrupt on the petition of Messrs. Cunliffe and Croom, and Mr. Langdon, from the firm of Messrs. Pritchard and Englefield, now applied to the court to appoint a receiver under the bankruptcy.— In reply to a question from the learned Registrar, Mr. Langdon stated that the bankrupt offered no opposition to the motion. His Honour accordingly appointed Mr. Croom, of Manchester, to the office; and also restrained two suing creditors from executing judgments obtained by them.'[2]
1878 Advert: 'Bicycles, quadricycles. Large STOCK of best material and high-class workmanship.— CUNLIFFE & CROOM, Broughton Iron Works, Edward-street, Broughton-lane. Repairs quickly QUADRICYCLE [3]
1880 Advert: 'BICYCLES. — Large Stock of the best material and workmanship at wholesale prices; several Salvo Quadricycles ON SALE; repairs quickly executed.— CUNLIFFE & CROOM, Edward-street, Broughton-lane.'[4]
1892 'This notable house was founded in 1864 by Mr. Richard Cunliffe, who commenced his operations in very small premises, executing only the finishing processes himself, and having all castings made outside. From this modest beginning the extensive Broughton Iron Works have grown up, and the business now possesses ample resources for all its undertakings, from the rough castings to the finished machine. Mr. Cunliffe had had valuable experience before commencing this business, and in 1879 he admitted into partnership a Mr. Croom, who died a few years ago, and since then Mr. Cunliffe has remained, as at first, sole principal of the concern. He attends daily at the works, personally supervising every operation, and his customers may rely upon a careful maintenance of the high standard of accuracy in construction and fine finish in workmanship which has so long characterized the productions of the Broughton Works. The premises, which have been greatly extended from time to time, have been enlarged in an especially notable degree during the past three years, and they now cover upwards of six thousand square yards. For the most part the work is carried on upon the ground level — a very convenient and labour-saving arrangement.
'Mr. Cunliffe was at one time foreman at the works of Messrs. Sharp, Stewart & Co., formerly of Manchester, but now removed to the Clyde. He is consequently acquainted with every practical detail in the arrangement of works of this kind, and supplementing his sound experience with his own personal skill and inventive faculty, he has built up an establishment which is practically perfect in plan and equipment, while the plant and machinery in use are of the highest order of efficiency. Upwards of two hundred hands are regularly employed here, whereas, in 1864, the staff numbered only ten workmen. This fact illustrates the remarkable growth of the business.
'Messrs. Cunliffe and Croom are famous for high-class lathes, planing and drilling machines, milling, shaping, and slotting machines, chucks, slide rests, surface plates, and many other important engineers’ requisites. Leading specialities of the house consist in hand and power planing machines, all sizes, foot and power lathes, and brass-finishing and milling machines, for all of which an unsurpassed reputation is enjoyed. Specially noteworthy are this firm’s improved self-acting boring and turning gap lathe, improved foot turning lathes, improved automatic turret lathes, capstan head lathe, carding-engine cylinder turning and ending out lathes, special milling machine for cotton machinists, hand and power planing machines, shaping machines, self-acting milling and grooving machine, universal milling machines and dividing heads.
'Messrs. Cunliffe and Croom also devote special attention to the production of machines suitable for use in technical schools, and they have done a large amount of high-class work in this respect for the Manchester Technical School, Owen’s College, Cheetham Hospital (Blue Coat School), Bolton Technical School, and various other important institutions giving attention to technical instruction. So well has this class of work been executed by the firm that they have had the honour of supplying to Mr. William Mather, M.P., “the leading member of the House of Commons on technical education,” a number of machines for his own workshop use. Messrs. Cunliffe and Croom are also on the Admiralty list of contractors, and are doing some important work for this department at the time of writing. The whole business is a monument to the energy, perseverance, and practical skill of Mr. Cunliffe, and upon his sterling qualities the house can safely depend for the adequate maintenance of the high reputation at present enjoyed.' [5]
1904 Machine for bending wrought iron spokes for railway wagon wheels described and illustrated here[6]. It was driven by its own single-cylinder horizontal steam engine. See illustrations.
By the 1940s they had a foundry at Wilton Iron Works, Wilton Street, Denton, Manchester[7]
By 1953 the company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of James Archdale and Co Ltd
1953 Acquired by Staveley Coal and Iron Co as part of its acquisition of James Archdale and Co Ltd [8].
1960s Producing well-designed and constructed milling machines for general workshop use.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] THE CENTURY'S PROGRESS - LANCASHIRE. The London Printing and Engraving Co., 1892
- ↑ Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 18 May 1876
- ↑ Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 16 November 1878
- ↑ Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 6 April 1880
- ↑ [2] THE CENTURY'S PROGRESS - LANCASHIRE. The London Printing and Engraving Co., 1892. Hosted by MESSYBEAST.COM
- ↑ [3] Page's Weekly, 21 Oct 1904, p.441
- ↑ Manchester Evening News, 12 October 1946, advert for moulders
- ↑ The Times, 16 December 1953
- Machine Tools by James Weir French in 2 vols. Published 1911 by Gresham