High Speed Steel Alloys
of Ditton Road, Widnes, Lancs.
In 1914 the UK manufacturers of high speed steel were heavily dependent on supply of tungsten from Germany. As war loomed, it was recognised that measures needed to be taken ungently to secure supplies. A group of steel makers formed a syndicate (30 from Sheffield and one, Armstrong Whitworth, from outside) to commission the erection of a tungsten metal powder factory. For this purpose High Speed Alloys Ltd. was formed and located in Widnes. Arthur Balfour was chairman and Albert John Hobson vice chairman. A site had been selected by the end of 1914 and production began in July 1915.[1]
The registration of the company was reported in November 1914 as follows:-
"High-speed Steel Alloys Ltd., 12, East Parade, Sheffield. To manufacture and deal in tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, chrome and any other metals or substances used in connection with the manufacture of steel. Nominal Capital £50,000 in £1 shares. Directors: A. Balfour, Dannemora Steel Works, Sheffield, steel manufacturer; F. Best, Norfolk Works, Sheffield, steel manufacturer; H. H. S. Carington, Openshaw, near Manchester, steel manufacturer; W. Clark, River Don Works, Sheffield, steel manufacturer; A. J. Hobson, Suffolk Works, Sheffield, steel manufacturer ; W. F. Osborn, Clyde Steel Works, steel manufacturer. Qualification of directors £200. Subscribers (one share each): A. Balfour and A. J. Hobson." [2]
1915 At the end of July it was reported that the first consignment of titanium had been delivered from the new works to members of the owning syndicate "at the end of last week" and would undergo trial.[3]
1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Salts, Oxides and Acids of Tungstens, Molybdenum and Vanadium. Ferro Alloys and Pure Metals. Tungsten Metal Powder, Metallic Carbides, Hard Facing Materials. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. A.1124) [4]
1969 Private company acquired by British Oxygen Co as a complementary addition to BOC's metallurgical business which was led by Murex[5]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Tungsten and the War; Julius L F Vogel - The Mining Magazine Jan 1919
- ↑ Manchester Courier - 7 November 1914
- ↑ Sheffield Daily Telegraph - 31 Jul 1915
- ↑ 1947 British Industries Fair p134
- ↑ The Times, May 24, 1969