Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

Registered UK Charity (No. 1154342)

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,701 pages of information and 247,103 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

James Neill and Co (Sheffield): Difference between revisions

From Graces Guide
← Older edit
SharronN (talk | contribs)
9,734 edits
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(25 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[image:Im19211210IM-JamesNeill.jpg |thumb| Dec 1921. ]]
[[Image:Im19291206Eng-Eclipse2.jpg|thumb| December 1929. ]]
[[Image:Im1930BIF-17024.jpg|thumb| 1930. ]]
[[Image:Im19300619MCy-Neill.jpg|thumb| June 1930.]]
[[Image:Im19300619MCy-Neill.jpg|thumb| June 1930.]]
[[image:Im1930v150-p312.jpg|thumb| 1930. Manufacture of Eclipse hacksaw blades.]]
[[image:Im1930v150-p312.jpg|thumb| 1930. Manufacture of Eclipse hacksaw blades.]]
‎‎[[Image: ‎Im19320922ME-Neill.jpg|thumb|1932]]
‎‎[[Image:‎Im19320922ME-Neill.jpg|thumb|1932]]
[[image:IM19320407mee-eCLIPSE.jpg |thumb| April 1932. ]]
[[image:IM19320407mee-eCLIPSE.jpg |thumb| April 1932. ]]
[[image:Im19320505MEE-JamesNeill.jpg |thumb| May 1932. ]]
[[image:Im19320505MEE-JamesNeill.jpg |thumb| May 1932. ]]
[[Image:Im19321118EM-Neill.jpg|thumb| November 1932.]]
[[Image:Im19321118EM-Neill.jpg|thumb| November 1932.]]
[[image:Im19330202MEE-Eclipse.jpg |thumb| February 1933. ]]
[[image:Im19330202MEE-Eclipse.jpg |thumb| February 1933. ]]
‎‎[[Image: ‎Im19330113EM-Neill.jpg|thumb|1933.]]
‎‎[[Image:‎Im19330113EM-Neill.jpg|thumb|1933.]]
[[Image:Im19330831ME-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1933]]
[[Image:Im19330831ME-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1933]]
[[Image:Im19331109ME-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1933]]
[[Image:Im19331109ME-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1933]]
Line 22: Line 26:
[[image:Im19361015MEE-Eclipse.jpg |thumb| October 1936. ]]
[[image:Im19361015MEE-Eclipse.jpg |thumb| October 1936. ]]
[[image:Im19361001MEE-JamesNeill.jpg |thumb| October 1936. ]]
[[image:Im19361001MEE-JamesNeill.jpg |thumb| October 1936. ]]
[[Image:Im1937Eng-Neill.jpg|thumb| 1937. ]]
[[Image:Im1938BIF-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1938.]]
[[Image:Im1938BIF-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1938.]]
[[image:ImIDH1938-JamesNeill.jpg |thumb| 1938. ]]
[[image:ImIDH1938-LogoJmesNeillCo.jpg |thumb| 1938.]]
[[image:Im19390120ACar-Neill.jpg|thumb| January 1939.]]
[[image:Im19390120ACar-Neill.jpg|thumb| January 1939.]]
[[Image:Im19370301MTra-Neill.jpg|thumb| March 1939. ]]
[[Image:Im19370301MTra-Neill.jpg|thumb| March 1939. ]]
Line 45: Line 52:
[[image:Im194808AE-JamesNeill.jpg|thumb| August 1948.]]
[[image:Im194808AE-JamesNeill.jpg|thumb| August 1948.]]


[[Image:Im1950BIF2-Neill.jpg|thumb| 1950. ]]
[[Image:Im1950BIF2-Neill2.jpg|thumb| 1950. ]]
[[Image:Im1950BIF2-Neill3.jpg|thumb| 1950. ]]
[[Image:Im1950BIF2-Neill4.jpg|thumb| 1950. ]]
[[Image:ImMSM195005-Jamesneill.jpg|thumb| May 1950. ]]
[[Image:Im195009Pl-neill.jpg|thumb| September 1950. ]]
[[Image:Im195009Pl-neill.jpg|thumb| September 1950. ]]
[[Image:Im1950ME0302-JNC.jpg‎|thumb| 1950. ]]
[[Image:Im1950ME0302-JNC.jpg‎|thumb| 1950. ]]
Line 53: Line 65:
[[image:Im195201AE-James Neill.jpg|thumb| January 1952.]]
[[image:Im195201AE-James Neill.jpg|thumb| January 1952.]]
[[image:Im195202AE-Eclipse.jpg|thumb|February 1952.]]
[[image:Im195202AE-Eclipse.jpg|thumb|February 1952.]]
[[image:Im195204AE-JamesNeill.jpg|thumb| April 1952.]]
[[image:Im195205AE-James Neill.jpg|thumb| May 1952.]]
[[image:195207AE-JamesNeilll.jpg|thumb| July 1952.]]
[[image:195208AE-James Neill.jpg|thumb| August 1952.]]
[[Image:Im1956M0120-JNC.jpg‎|thumb| January 1956. ]]
[[Image:Im1956M0120-JNC.jpg‎|thumb| January 1956. ]]
[[Image:Im1956M0203-JNC.jpg‎|thumb| January 1956. ]]
[[Image:Im1956M0203-JNC.jpg‎|thumb| January 1956. ]]
Line 60: Line 76:


[[Image:Im1960MWYB-Colville.jpg|thumb| 1960. ]]
[[Image:Im1960MWYB-Colville.jpg|thumb| 1960. ]]
[[Image:Im1961aBen-Neill.jpg|thumb| 1961.]]
[[image:Im196105AE-JmsNeill.jpg |thumb| May 1961. ]]
[[image:Im1962AE03-JmsNeill.jpg |thumb| 1962.]]
[[image:Im1962AE03-JmsNeill.jpg |thumb| 1962.]]
[[image:Im1962AE05-Eclipse.jpg |thumb| May 1962.]]
[[image:Im1962AE05-Eclipse.jpg |thumb| May 1962.]]
[[image:Im1962AE07-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| July 1962.]]
[[image:Im1962AE07-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| July 1962.]]
[[image:ImAE196209-JmsNeill.jpg |thumb| Sept 1962.]]
[[image:ImAE196309-JmsNeill.jpg |thumb| Sept 1963. ]]
[[image:Im1964Buck-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1964.]]
[[image:Im1964Buck-Eclipse.jpg|thumb| 1964.]]


[[image:Im1983Eg-NeillTools.jpg |thumb| 1983.]]
[[image:Im1983Eg-NeillTools.jpg |thumb| 1983.]]


'''Eclipse''' of Composite Steel Works, Napier Street, Sheffield.  Telephone: Sheffield 24372-3.  Cables: "Bentley's and A.B.C. Code, 6th Edition"
of Composite Steel Works, Napier Street, Sheffield.   


'''Neill Tools'''
'''Neill Tools'''


1889 [[James Neill]], a successful accountant, turns to steelmaking and patents "composite" steel (steel-backed iron).
1889 [[James Neill]], a successful accountant, turns to steelmaking and patents "composite" steel (steel-backed iron).
1909 Registered the ''Eclipse'' trademark
1911 Started making the world's first composite steel hacksaw blades.
By 1924 the company was also making saw frames; the company introduced the classic shape which all hacksaws now mirror.


1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair.  Manufacturers of Combined Iron and Steel for Machine Knives, Dies, etc., Crucible Steel, Magnet Steel, etc.  "Eclipse" Safety Razor Blades.  "Eclipse" Hack Saw Blades and Frames.  "Eclipse" Permanent Magnets.  (Stand No. J.31) <ref>[[1929 British Industries Fair]] p123</ref>
1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair.  Manufacturers of Combined Iron and Steel for Machine Knives, Dies, etc., Crucible Steel, Magnet Steel, etc.  "Eclipse" Safety Razor Blades.  "Eclipse" Hack Saw Blades and Frames.  "Eclipse" Permanent Magnets.  (Stand No. J.31) <ref>[[1929 British Industries Fair]] p123</ref>
Line 84: Line 110:


1959 Patent - Improvements in or relating to tool-holders. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/861699.html] Wikipatents</ref>   
1959 Patent - Improvements in or relating to tool-holders. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/861699.html] Wikipatents</ref>   
1960s Acquired [[Peter Stubs]].


1966 Patent - Improvements in or relating to saw-file handles. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/1062312.html] Wikipatents</ref>
1966 Patent - Improvements in or relating to saw-file handles. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/1062312.html] Wikipatents</ref>
Line 89: Line 117:
1968 Tool bits. <ref>[[The Engineer]] of 9th August 1968 p221</ref>
1968 Tool bits. <ref>[[The Engineer]] of 9th August 1968 p221</ref>


1968 '''Sheffield Rolling Mills''' was formed as a company jointly owned by [[British Steel]], [[Balfour and Darwins]] (38%) and '''James Neill Holdings''' (17%) to operate the Tinsley Park bar mills at Sheffield, which were 5 years old; the private sector companies would transfer work there from their older plant<ref>The Times (London, England), Thursday, Sep 19, 1968</ref>
1968 [[Sheffield Rolling Mills]] was formed as a company jointly owned by [[British Steel]], [[Balfour and Darwins]] (38%) and '''James Neill Holdings''' (17%) to operate the Tinsley Park bar mills at Sheffield, which were 5 years old; the private sector companies would transfer work there from their older plant<ref>The Times (London, England), Thursday, Sep 19, 1968</ref>


By 1969 was part of James Neill Group which also included James Neill Holdings, [[Whiteley, Lang and Neill]], and [[Hallamshire Steel and File Co]]<ref>The Times, Jan 17, 1969</ref>
By 1969 was part of James Neill Group which also included James Neill Holdings, [[Whiteley, Lang and Neill]], and [[Hallamshire Steel and File Co]]<ref>The Times, Jan 17, 1969</ref>
Line 107: Line 135:
1985 Purchased [[Spear and Jackson]]
1985 Purchased [[Spear and Jackson]]


1988 [[James Wilkes]] bought the [[Peter Stubs]] business except for the bi-metallic strip activities which would be integrated with the hand tools activities<ref>The Times, October 29, 1988</ref>
1988 [[James Wilkes]] bought the [[Peter Stubs]] business (except for the bi-metallic strip activities which would be integrated with the hand tools activities)<ref>The Times, October 29, 1988</ref>


1989 Acquired by the MMG Patricof Group, which said it wanted to expand the business and refloat in c.5 years<ref>The Times, October 11, 1989</ref>
1989 Acquired by the MMG Patricof Group, which said it wanted to expand the business and refloat in c.5 years<ref>The Times, October 11, 1989</ref>


1993 Known as '''Neill Tools'''
1989 '''Markoffer Public Limited Company''' was registered
 
1993 James Neill was known as '''Neill Tools'''
 
1995 '''Markoffer Public Limited Company''' was renamed '''Spear and Jackson''' plc. Subsidiaries included:<ref>1994 Annual report</ref>
* [[James Neill and Co (Sheffield)|James Neill Holdings]] Ltd
* [[Neill Tools]] Ltd
* [[Eclipse Magnetics]] Ltd
* Spear and Jackson International Ltd
* [[Spear and Jackson Garden Products]] Ltd
* [[S. and J. Industrial Saws]] Ltd
 
1997 '''Spear and Jackson''' was acquired from Apax Partners by [[U.S. Industries]], consumer products manufacturer, formerly part of [[Hanson Trust|Hanson]]<ref>The Times  Dec. 5, 1997</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
<what-links-here/>
<what-links-here/>


== Sources of Information ==
==Sources of Information==
<references/>
<references/>
* [https://www.spear-and-jackson.com/about-us] Spear and Jackson website


{{DEFAULTSORT: Neill Tools}}
{{DEFAULTSORT: Neill, J}}
[[Category: Town - Sheffield]]
[[Category: Town - Sheffield]]
[[Category: Tools]]
[[Category: Tools]]
[[Category: Automotive Components]]
[[Category: Automotive Components]]

Latest revision as of 08:09, 5 May 2024

Dec 1921.
December 1929.
1930.
June 1930.
1930. Manufacture of Eclipse hacksaw blades.

‎‎

1932
April 1932.
May 1932.
November 1932.
February 1933.

‎‎

1933.
1933
1933
1934.
1934.
1934.Eclipse-Flex, Hack Saw Blades.
June 1934.
November 1934.
November 1934.
January 1935.
April 1935.
May 1935.
1936.
September 1936.
October 1936.
October 1936.
1937.
1938.
1938.
1938.
January 1939.
March 1939.
1943.
November 1943/1944
1945
April 1946. Eclipse Razor Blade.
1946

‎‎

1946
October 12 1946.
November 1946.
January 1947.
February 1947.
April 1947.
May 1947. Eclipse Hack Saw Blade.
May 1947.
November 1947.
December 1947.
January 1948.
February 1948.
August 1948.
1950.
1950.
1950.
1950.
May 1950.
September 1950.
1950.
1951.

‎‎

1951.
June 1951.
June 1951.
January 1952.
February 1952.
April 1952.
May 1952.
July 1952.
August 1952.
January 1956.
January 1956.
March 1956.
April 1956.
June 1958
1960.
1961.
May 1961.
1962.
May 1962.
July 1962.
Sept 1962.
Sept 1963.
1964.
1983.

of Composite Steel Works, Napier Street, Sheffield.

Neill Tools

1889 James Neill, a successful accountant, turns to steelmaking and patents "composite" steel (steel-backed iron).

1909 Registered the Eclipse trademark

1911 Started making the world's first composite steel hacksaw blades.

By 1924 the company was also making saw frames; the company introduced the classic shape which all hacksaws now mirror.

1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Combined Iron and Steel for Machine Knives, Dies, etc., Crucible Steel, Magnet Steel, etc. "Eclipse" Safety Razor Blades. "Eclipse" Hack Saw Blades and Frames. "Eclipse" Permanent Magnets. (Stand No. J.31) [1]

1937 British Industries Fair Advert for 'Eclipse' Non Electric Magnetic Chucks and Accessories. Also 'Eclipse' Hack Saw Blades and Frames; 'Eclipse' High Grade Crucible Steels. (Engineering/Metals/Quarry, Roads and Mining/Transport) [2]

1939 See Aircraft Industry Suppliers

1945 Advert for Eclipse tools including hacksaw blade and frames, pad handles, saw sets etc. [3]

1953 James Neill and Co (Sheffield) Ltd acquired Hallamshire Steel and File Co from the Holding and Realization Agency[4].

1959 Patent - Improvements in or relating to tool-holders. [5]

1960s Acquired Peter Stubs.

1966 Patent - Improvements in or relating to saw-file handles. [6]

1968 Tool bits. [7]

1968 Sheffield Rolling Mills was formed as a company jointly owned by British Steel, Balfour and Darwins (38%) and James Neill Holdings (17%) to operate the Tinsley Park bar mills at Sheffield, which were 5 years old; the private sector companies would transfer work there from their older plant[8]

By 1969 was part of James Neill Group which also included James Neill Holdings, Whiteley, Lang and Neill, and Hallamshire Steel and File Co[9]

1969 James Neill Holdings purchased Relham Products, automatic turning specialists, from Dutton-Forshaw[10]

1970 James Neill Holdings acquired John Shaw and Sons (Wolverhampton), toolmakers and merchants; acquired R. A. Stephen of Morden, maker of Goscut tools[11]; acquired Moore and Wright of Sheffield.

1970 Public issue of shares by James Neill Holdings[12]

1971 Acquired Elliott-Lucas,maker of 40 percent of pliers, pincers and nippers in UK[13]

1972 Acquired Benson Verniers and GKN Shardlow Metrology. Brand names featured included Eclipse, Britool, M&W, PS Stubs, Elliott Lucas[14]

1974 British Steel bought out its partners in Sheffield Rolling Mills[15]

1985 Purchased Spear and Jackson

1988 James Wilkes bought the Peter Stubs business (except for the bi-metallic strip activities which would be integrated with the hand tools activities)[16]

1989 Acquired by the MMG Patricof Group, which said it wanted to expand the business and refloat in c.5 years[17]

1989 Markoffer Public Limited Company was registered

1993 James Neill was known as Neill Tools

1995 Markoffer Public Limited Company was renamed Spear and Jackson plc. Subsidiaries included:[18]

1997 Spear and Jackson was acquired from Apax Partners by U.S. Industries, consumer products manufacturer, formerly part of Hanson[19]

See Also

Loading...

Sources of Information

  1. ↑ 1929 British Industries Fair p123
  2. ↑ 1937 British Industries Fair Advert p642; and p394
  3. ↑ Mechanical World Year Book 1945. Published by Emmott and Co of Manchester. Advert p1
  4. ↑ The Times, 23 February 1954
  5. ↑ [1] Wikipatents
  6. ↑ [2] Wikipatents
  7. ↑ The Engineer of 9th August 1968 p221
  8. ↑ The Times (London, England), Thursday, Sep 19, 1968
  9. ↑ The Times, Jan 17, 1969
  10. ↑ The Times, Jul 16, 1969
  11. ↑ The Times April 17, 1970
  12. ↑ The Times, Nov 27, 1970
  13. ↑ The Times, Nov 30, 1971
  14. ↑ The Times, Jun 08, 1972
  15. ↑ The Times, Apr 27, 1974
  16. ↑ The Times, October 29, 1988
  17. ↑ The Times, October 11, 1989
  18. ↑ 1994 Annual report
  19. ↑ The Times Dec. 5, 1997
  • [3] Spear and Jackson website
Retrieved from "https://gracesguide.co.uk/index.php?title=James_Neill_and_Co_(Sheffield)&oldid=1385424"
Privacy policy Disclaimers About Grace’s Guide Contact Grace’s Guide

Grace's Guide web site design is Copyright © 2025 by Grace's Guide Ltd. The text of this web site is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 

MW1.43