Difference between revisions of "Powell Duffryn"
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[[Image:Im196310GH-Powell.jpg|thumb| October 1963. Tayco boiler. ]] | |||
of By-Products Department, Aberdare House, Cardiff, South Wales. Telephone: Cardiff 7900/1. Telegraphic Address: "Presotim, Cardiff". (1937) | of By-Products Department, Aberdare House, Cardiff, South Wales. Telephone: Cardiff 7900/1. Telegraphic Address: "Presotim, Cardiff". (1937) | ||
Revision as of 18:15, 16 May 2013
of By-Products Department, Aberdare House, Cardiff, South Wales. Telephone: Cardiff 7900/1. Telegraphic Address: "Presotim, Cardiff". (1937)
1840 Thomas Powell sunk the first deep mine at Cwmbach, Aberdare.
1840-1863 He opened many further deep mines, both in Aberdare (Cwmdare, Abernant, Abergwawr, Middle Duffryn and Cwmpennar) and in the Rhymney Valley. At their peak these collieries produced over 400,000 tons of coal each per annum.
1863 Thomas Powell instructed T. E. Forster, William Armstrong and George Elliot (Later to become Sir George) to put a valuation on all his collieries.
1864 As a result, George Elliot formed the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Co Limited (PDSC) for the purpose of working the whole of Thomas Powell's collieries. At this time the wealth of the South Wales Coalfield was only just being realised.
1867 The PDSC bought the Aberaman Estate from the iron master Crawshay Bailey. The acquisition of the Aberaman Estate was an important purchase, as underneath lay some of the best steam coal in the world and all within easy access to the ports. Aberaman became the headquarters of the company.
1914 The market in France was so large that they registered as Compagnie Francaise des Mines Powell Duffryn, with their main offices at Rouen.
1916 An able businessman, E. M. Hann (who had started his career in the company in 1879) was made director of the PDSC and enabled the company to become the greatest coal-producing company in the world.
1935 Powell Duffryn Associated Collieries was registered with the amalgamation of the PDSC and Welsh Associated Collieries.
1937 Advert for By-Products of British coal: Presotim Wood Preservative; Presomet Rust-resisting Paint; Synthaprufe Liquid Waterproofing and Jointing Material; Synthaflex Plastic Material for filling crevices before final sealing with Synthaprufe; Synthacold Cold Dressing for paths, drives, roads. (Engineering/Metals/Quarry, Roads and Mining/Transport Section - Stand No. B.320)
1942 Amalgamation of Powell Duffryn Associated Collieries with Cory Brothers and Co
1944 Formation of Powell Duffryn Ltd and voluntary liquidation of the 3 former companies[1].
1947 The National Coal Board took over all Powell Duffryn's interests but they indirectly retained a considerable influence on the management of the coal industry with many of their management retaining senior level posts with the N.C.B. particularly in the South Wales area. As a result, Powell Duffryn Co diversified and expanded in other directions.
1968 Powell Duffryn Engineering Co constructed six large storage tanks for Esso.
1968 Queen's Award to Industry for Export Achievement for Hydraulic Machinery[2]
By the early 1980s, the company had worldwide recognition in the field of engineering, shipping (travel), bulk liquid storage, fuel distribution, construction, wagon manufacture to name but a few.
In 1980/81 the turnover reached £456m.
Their commercial interests in South Wales included: -
- Powell Duffryn Engineering Co - Llantrisant
- Powell Duffryn Travel - Cardiff
- Cory Brothers - Cardiff
- Powell Duffryn Timber - Barry
- Powell Duffryn Quarries - Merthyr, Machen, Caerffili, Penhow and Newport
- Dan-y-Graig Brick Co - Risca
- Powell Duffryn Wagon Co - Cardiff
- Powell Duffryn Oil and Chemical Storage Co - Barry
- Powell Duffryn Private Railway
Related Businesses:
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ National Archives [1]
- ↑ The Engineer of 26th April 1968 p650
- [2] Rhondda Cynon Taf
- 1937 British Industries Fair Advert p645; and p402
- The Engineer of 19th January 1968 p135