Elba Steel Works
of Gowerton
Gowerton Steel Works (officially known as Elba Steel Works for many years).
1872 Roger Beck moved to Swansea to invest in commodities, in particular tin plate.
c1872 Mr Alfred Sterry, Mr Roger Beck and Mr Healy went into business and began operations on the site.
After the failure of his first investment in the tin plate works at Gowerton, Beck was approached by Isaac Butler (of Landore Works) who pointed out faults in the production at the works in Gowerton. Together with Butler, Col. John Roper Wright and Beck, the Elba Tinplate Works was reopened in 1878 using Siemens expertise (presumably this refers to Elba Steel Works). The company flourished.[1]
From 1878 Elba Steel Works was operated by Col. John Roper Wright and Mr Isaac Butler and Mr Roger Beck as well as several others [2]
1885 A new mill allowed the rolling of steel billets into rods used for the manufacture of rivets, hooks and chains
1886 A new stand rolling mill was commissioned.
1888 the Elba Works was hit by its first strike, which continued until the year-end
1888 Wright, Butler and Co Limited was incorporated.
1898 By this time trade had declined markedly and Gowerton Steel Works was forced to close.
1900 Works reopened.
1902 Baldwins Ltd operated the works from 1902
1945 Richard Thomas and Baldwins Limited was registered, taking on the works.
1951 The Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain became responsible for the works.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [2] Elba Steel Works