British Insulated Wire Co

• In 1890, a factory was established in Prescot to manufacture paper insulated power cable under licence from U.S. patentees. The people behing this venture were the Atherton Brothers, T.P. Hewitt (Managing Director of the Lancashire Watch Company), Colonel Pilkington of St. Helens and Sebastian de Ferranti (the Liverpool-born innovator who contributed much in the field of electricity). They became directors of the company, recognising the potential of the emerging field of electricity with its many uses, including electric traction which is said to have been sufficient to justify the venture.

• By 1900 the firm had secured its position in the power distribution industry, while continuing to establish itself locally - lighting for Lord Derby’s house, Knowsley Hall and street lights in Prescot and its surrounds.

• 1900 Manufactured the largest diameter cables in the world for the Port Dundas electricity works in Glasgow

• 1902 Merger with the Telegraph Manufacturing Company of Helsby.

Dane Sinclair was Chairman for a long period prior to 1930, when Sir Alexander Roger, a financial wizard, succeeded him. Roger and his financial manager, William H. McFadzean, organised the key merger with Callenders in 1945.

See Also

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Sources of Information

• The Engineer of 14th September 1900 p260