Herbert, Alfred, Ltd

Sectors:

  • Information processing equipment production Business machine production
  • Mechanical engineering Machine tool production
  • Distribution - wholesaling, broking, market trading, etc Mechanical equipment & components distribution
  • Rubber & plastic products manufacture Plastic products manufacture

Notes:

Traced origins to the engineering business of Coles & Mathews which was acquired in 1888 by (Sir) Alfred Herbert, 1866-1957, and William S Hubbard and renamed Herbert & Hubbard. Incorporated as Alfred Herbert Ltd 1894 when it focused on machine tools and tubing, supplying in particular the local bicycle industry. Took up international agencies for other machine tool manufacturers and makers of other equipment which much later included document copiers. By 1939 largest machine tool manufacturer in the world. 1930s developed Plastics Advisory Service. Also did large business in reconditioning machine tools. In decline from 1960s in face of foreign competition. Reconstructed 1975 when National Enterprise Board took a major stake. In receivership 1982 when certain assets acquired by Tube Investments Ltd

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