International Okonite Co
of Newton Heath, Manchester
1892 'THE important electrical industry carried on at the above address by the International Okonite Company, Limited, was founded in the year 1883 by Mr. John Shaw, who was afterwards joined as partner by Mr. Thomas Connolly. They continue to jointly direct its affairs, the former as commercial manager, the latter as manager of the works. Both gentlemen are possessed of high scientific qualifications, and their success in the line of operation they are now pursuing may clearly be traced to their earnest study and long-continued investigation of all matters connected with the transmission of electrical force, and its economical and effective insulation and protection. For six or seven years Messrs. Shaw & Connolly carried on their work and researches in what is now only a part of the extensive buildings occupied by the International Okonite Company, Limited, which company was formed by the amalgamation of the business of Messrs. Shaw & Connolly with that of the Okonite Company, of Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.A. At this latter place a most extensive trade is carried on, the works there existing being large, and the American interests of the concern increasingly important.
'Since the formation of the present company in 1890 great extensions have had to be made in the premises at Newton Heath, and this interesting establishment now covers a large area, of ground, and stands in a condition of perfect organization for all the purposes of the industry in which it is engaged, there being a splendid plant of new and specially-designed machinery in operation. A large extent of canal wharfage places the Company in direct communication with the Ship Canal, and altogether about ten acres of ground are covered by the yards and buildings. At these busy works no fewer than five hundred specially trained and selected hands are employed in the manufacture of the Company’s specialities, which embrace every description of cable and wire for electrical purposes, in okonite, guttapercha, vulcanized indiarubber, &c. These goods are applicable for telegraphic, telephonic, and electric lighting uses, and are divided into three classes — (1) “Cables,” or conductors of large size; (2) “Wires,” which signify single wires and small stranded conductors; and (3) “Flexibles,” or stranded conductors made up of fine wires. The Company also specialize a compound and lead-covered cable of an anti-induction type for special purposes. It may here be mentioned that okonite is the highest insulating medium known to electricians, and is, moreover, possessed of great tensile strength.
'The Company’s list of manufactures is so comprehensive and includes so many varieties of conductors for every conceivable purpose of electrical power-transmission that it would be idle to attempt an enumeration here. For the details that are unavoidably excluded, our readers are referred to the Company’s catalogue, a most exhaustive publication of its kind. As to the quality and practical usefulness of these goods, it is admitted that none better are to be found in the market for any of the numerous purposes to which they are applicable, and the large and constantly increasing trade carried on by the Company is an ample evidence of this fact. It is also noteworthy that Messrs. Shaw & Connolly were awarded a Diploma and Gold Medal at London, 1885, in recognition of the superior merits of their specialities; and the Company are on the list of contractors to the Admiralty and the War Office. Their registered telegraphic addresses are, “Exsiccant, London,” and “Dielectric, Newton Heath.” The cablegram address is “Okonco, London”; and the telephone numbers are (London) 1560, and (Manchester) 413.
'The London offices are at 98 and 100, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., under the managing directorship of Mr. A. Vaughan-Stevens. Both Mr. Shaw and Mr. Connolly, the managers at Newton Heath, are gentlemen who have rendered great and valuable service to the cause of electrical science. Personally they are well known and much respected in this neighbourhood, and give active support to all movements designed to promote the welfare of the district.'[1]