Reference
Z41/F
Title
Records of BJ Forder & Son Limited
Date free text
1900 - 1923
Production date
From: 1900 To: 1923
Admin/biog history
Works at Elstow, Stewartby and Westoning.
1894 Commenced production of Gault bricks at Westoning, Bedfordshire.
1897 Elstow works opened.
1900 Company bought by Halley and Percy Malcolm Stewart in partnership with the Keble Brothers.
1906 Westoning Works closed.
1920 Stewartby brickworks opened.
1923 Merged with London Brick Company to become London Brick Company & Forders Ltd.
1973 Elstow works closed.
BJ Forders & Co. Ltd began as a small operation at Westoning producing bricks from Gault clay. It expanded in 1897 to open works at Elstow. In 1900, Halley Stewart (1838 - 1937), a noted businessman, acquired BJ Forder & Sons, in partnership with his son Percy Malcolm Stewart (1872 - 1951) and Liberal associates in the Peterborough area, notably the Keeble brothers. This was then sold and became a public company by 1903, BJ Forder & Co.Ltd. This was financed by 280 000, most of which had been provided by Halley Stewart. The overall interests of the firm were the production of building materials: lime, cement and bricks. The lime & cement concerns were sold in 1912 to British Portland Cement manufacturers, another firm in which the Stewarts had considerable influence and interests.
The Westoning works were closed in 1906 to allow concentration on the production of bricks from Oxford Clay at Elstow, and from 1920 at land acquired at Wootton Pillinge. Percy Malcolm Stewart became a managing director, and it was he who oversaw much of the modernisation of production. This included the purchase of the American Brick press in 1902, and the commissioning of a purpose built steam driven crane navvy in 1908, moves opposed by the other managing director, Arthur Keeble. As Chairman, Halley Stewart remained in charge of brick production and in financial control. He aimed for steady growth and the long-term benefits this would offer. The Keeble Brothers disagreed with this, wanting more immediate profits so the partnership was dissolved. No dividend was paid on ordinary shares until 1915 - the initial profits were ploughed back into the business, modernising and expanding it.
During and immediately following WW1 the brick production industry generally faced poor trading conditions, but BJ Forder & Co.'s profits were maintained whilst other brick companies closed down or were forced to sell. Between 1900 & 1930 the number of brickworks nationally declined by two thirds, but as a result of their cost advantages, Fletton brick types superseded other stock bricks. The company merged with the London Brick Company in 1923
Level of description
sub-fonds