SP12/1/8

Visit to Hayward-Tyler & Co Ltd. Luton, Bedfordshire. A Short History of the Company

Between 1815 - 1980

From: 1815 To: 1980

1815 - AND ALL THAT James Watt is popularly remembered for his development of steam power from a study of the behaviour of his kitchen kettle. Joseph Bramah is less celebrated, although he did much the same for the industrial development of water power as Watt did for steam. The business now known as Hayward Tyler & Co Ltd., was founded by William Russell, a pupil of Joseph Bramah, in 1815. Joseph Bramah invented the hydraulic press and the water closet. Bramah also invented continuous carbonation, and russell took this over from his firm. He also started making valve closets, presses and soda water machinery. In 1835 Russell died and the firm was taken over by Mr Hayward Tyler who soon moved the factory to Milton Street from St Johns Street in London. In 1840 the business was moved to Whitecross Street, which some of the older members of the staff remember as the London Office - quite within living memory. Mr Tyler developed the Brass Foundry side of the business to the maximum of his capacity, and resulting products were the early screw-down cocks and a whole variety of plumbers' brass work which used to figure in our catalogues until recently. Mr Hayward Tyler was brother-in-law to Theodore Lloyd Senior who was uncle to Robert Luke Howard, and in 1855 when Mr Tyler died, Mr Howard bought the firm. In 1866 the Whitecross street works were enlarged by the purchase of some cow sheds. These were pulled down and a new erecting shop was built. In 1869 the Universal pump, a single cylinder steam pump with internal valve gear, was first introduced, and this superseded the Direct Acting Pump. In 1878 the Rider hot air engine was produced. It is thought that this was probably introduced by a Mr. Benson, a very dynamic American with whom the firm became associated, and who introduced a variety of products, including probably the duplex pump. There was little room for expansion in Whitecross Street, so Mr Howard looked further afield and, in 1872, secured the present site in Luton. Luton, described in an 1850 dictionary as "a village near Dunstable", was only then beginning its industrial growth, and Hayward Tyler's new workshops were the largest yet seen. Impressed by the necessity of keeping abreast of the times, an enterprising publican hung out a new sign - "The Moulder's Arms". Meanwhile, owing to difficulty in obtaining the necessary ironwork, a timber frame was used for the roof of the large new Engineer's Shop - a construction that was later to prove disastrous. In 1904, the Whitecross Street Office was abandoned, and the next year the firm ceased to be run as a partnership and became a private limited company. In 1915, Mr Robert Lloyd died, and Mr Robert Luke Howard passed on in 1919. Mr George Maurice Gibbins who was a director became General Manager and held his position until his death in 1933 when the present General Manager, Mr H Weston Howard, took over. Both in the workshops and in the fighting services Hatward Tyler men have contributed to victory in three wars. Early in the 1939-45 war this Company was placed on the Admiralty Vital List, and, during five years, 250,000 Oerlikon and automatic gun parts and breech mechanisms were manufactured. For a time the firm were the sole suppliers for machining engine fittings and casting engine sumps for Churchill tanks. Other contracts included 75 milling machines for the Ministry of supply, 5 steam engines for Admiralty barges, 40 pumps for Operation 'Pluto', 70 sets of submersible borehole pumps for emergency water supply, and 1750 snall pumps fot the No 7 Predicator. In the afternoon of the 30th august 1940, Luton suffered its first air raid. Two bombs fell on the Hayward Tyler factory, demolishing the Old Brass Foundry Pattern Stores and tearing up a length of railway siding. That there were no casualities was largely due to the issue, on the previous day, of a notice advising all employees to take instant cover at the first sign of attack. Space under benches had been cleared for this purpose, and all employees were under temporary cover when, without air raid warning, the bombs fell. A night raid, a fortnight later, when land mines were dropped resulted in damage to the Foundry and the loss of many windows. About 10 tons of broken glass were collected after these two raids, the total damage to the Company's premises being estimated at £3,000. Since 1939 the Company has replaced the major proportion of its equipment with the most modern machine tools. Fluorescent lighting has superseded filament lamps in many of the shops. A Planning Committee comprising the Board of Directors, four members of staff and two Works representatives, issued a report on future policy, and this was accepted by the Board of Directors. In April 1946, the Company obtained the lease of premises known as the Marine Gardens Factory, Portobella, near Edinburgh, for the purpose of producing increased quantities of mineral water mavhinery. In the words of the Planning's committee's Report - "It is intended that the firm shall make the best products, with the best people working on the best plant in the best conditions and for the best possible wages". In 1877 Robert Samuel Lloyd joined the firm. He assisted in designing and carrying out the first experimental installation of Edison's electric light on Holborn Viaduct, and made an enormous contribution in the design and construction of electrically driven pumping machinery, waterworks installations, and pumps for pipelines and tank-vessels. Some of the largest of these vessels afloat carry pumps for the construction of which he was responsible. He also invented numerous improvements in machinery for the manufacture of aerated waters. In 1880 we took up the system of electric light invented by Mr Edison, and we were the original pioneers in this country of conduit wiring. We abandoned electrical contracting in 1905. In 1887 we fitted electric light and tanker pumps to the first tanker so fitted - the "ROBERT DICKINSON". In 1890 we began manufacture of the Gordon Duplex Pump, installed a private telephone line to Luton and introduced a lady typist into the London office, which was an innovation of extreme seriousness. We were, incidently, one of the first firms to instal a typewriter in London, and are one of the oldest customers on Remington's books. In 1891 the present Iron Foundry was built. On the evening of October 23rd 1903, a spark from a passing train entered a louvre in the roof and started afire among some wooden patterns stored in the East Gallery. Some late workers saw the smoke, the factory bell was rung and the Town Fire Brigade was quickly on the spot. The Works Steam Pump and fire appliances were brought into action, but the fire had taken such a firm hold of the roof timbers that these had to be abandoned, and all efforts concentrated on preventing its spreading to adjoining premises. The Engineering Shop was crowded with machinery which could not be moved. On this the blazing roof presently collapsed. The total damage was estimated at £50,000, a loss that was by no means covered by the sum received from the Insurance Companies. It is related that on the following morning some of the men were in tears, fearing their livelihood was gone for a long time. But, in fact, no man was allowed to lose a day's wages. All were organised in clearing the debris and making temporary arrangements for carrying on their work in other quarters, and so heartily did they co-operate that the interference with customers' orders was remarkably small PRODUCTS The products in which the Company specialises may be grouped under five headings as follows:- Oil Pumps & Turbines (Symbol 'P') Steam Duplex Oil Cargo Pumps fitted with simple or compounded steam cylinders. Centrifugal Cargo Pumps Sundry Duplex Pumps of sizes greater than 6"x6"x6" Hayward Tyler - Terry Steam Turbines Reciprocating Pumps (Symbol 'R') (Manufactured at the Portobello Branch Factory) Steam & Power Duplex Pumps for general use and boiler feeding and of sizes up to and including 6"x6"x6" Submersible, Salvage & Boiler Circulating Pumps (Symbol 'S') Submersible Borehole Pumps Wet Motor Pumps for Mining and Salvage purposes Boiler Circulator Pumps for application to high pressure water tube boilers Hayward Tyler - Byron Jackson Process Pumps (Symbol 'U') Refinery Process Pumps - Horizontal & Vertical Mineral Water Machinery (Symbol 'M') Carbonators, bottling Machinery for syruping, filling and crowning Syrup mixing plants, and sundry allied equipment. ORGANISATION There are four directors, all of whom fulfil executive functions within the Company. Owing to the fact that that our products are clearly divisible into four main categories, the experiment of decentralisation was made in 1945. At the same time, work was so segregated that machine operators and fitters worked within sight of each other in each of the production shops. The experiment was a great success, and today the policy of decentralisation and segregation of work is still in operation. The Sales organisation is now divided into four main departments like the works. Each Departmental sales Manager is responsible for the sales function affecting his own particular group of products. In the Works, each production department has its own superintendant, foreman or chargehand, production engineer and material controller, with the result that orders are speedily dealt with, operators are able to specialise on one group of products, and the teamwork and morale in each of the Production Departments is of the highest standard. The Branch Factory at Portobello, Edinburgh, is under the control of a Branch Manager who is directly responsible to the General Manager of the Company at Luton. Owing to its comparatively small size the policy of decentralisation has not been applied to the Branch Factory, but as its entire production is centred within four walls, the benefit of having fitters and machine operators working on the same products within sight of one another is felt there as at Luton. PERSONNEL We have at present approximately 710 employees (including staff) of whom approximately 90 are employed at the Marine gardens factory, Portobello. At luton, the Secretary of the Company is responsible for staff recruitment, while the Personnel Manager is responsible for all other engagement of labour. Employees work a 44-hour week and under National Agreements are paid for the following Works Holidays:- 2 weeks annual holiday with pay during the Summer Good Friday Easter Monday Whit Monday August Monday Christmas Day Boxing Day Employees are required to "clock-in" on morning and afternoon shifts, but only "clock-out" when authorised overtime is worked or when given leave of absence during normal working hours. Wage Rates - Hourly Paid Workers Wage rates are based on the agreements betwwen the "Engineering and Allied Employers' National Federation" and the "Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions". Payment is by 'Individual Piece Work' and 'Group Bonus' in the Production Shops, and at 'Time Rates' to Tool Room, Maintenance, Pattern Shops, Labourers, etc. Apprentice rates are also governed by similar agreements, payment being by Time Rates normally until the age of 19 years, and thereafter by piece work in the Production Shops. Gross earnings compare favourable with like industries in the district. TRAINING Adult Training The Company makes a practice of sending many of its employees on courses and to conferences, and results have been proved to be fruitful by the knowledge and new ideas gained. If an employee wishes to study for some qualification, the Company provides every possible facility and encouragement, including payment of fees where neccessary. Prospective foremen are sent on Foremanship Courses at the Leicester College of Technology & Commerce before bing appointed. Apprentice Training Everybody who joins the Company's service has an equal opportunity of success. Thr Company makes no distinction in the type of initial training offered to boys who join the firm at the age of 15 or 16 years, no matter what their education has been. The scope of training eventually given depends entirely on a boy's capabillities as shown by his work with the firm, and his progress meanwhile at the Luton & South Bedfordshire College of Further Education. After the first two or three years' training, when boys are between 18 and 19 years of age, progress is reviewed, and those boys reaching the required standard may be offered an extended training in departments other than the Shops and Works Training Centre. Hayward Tyler's have Training Officer who devotes the whole of his time to the training and welfare of the Company's apprentices. Boys of 15 to 17 years are accepted as prospective apprentices, and Indentures for Apprenticeshipare signed when the applicant reaches the age of 16, or as soon afterwards as is practicable. The normal period of Apprenticeship is five years. All apprentices remain in the shops until the age of 18. Between the ages of 18 and 19, when the initial works training will have been completed, a thorough review is made of each boy's progress, and those boys reaching the required standard may be offered Student Apprenticeeship. The final training of Apprentices (other than Student Apprentices) consists of approximately 2½ years experience in the chosen trade. Each year a boy's progress is reviewed, marks being allocated and Prize Money awarded accordingly. Marks are allocated for the following:- timekeeping Quality of work Conduct Examination Results Subject to acceptance by the College authorities, all boys attend technical classes at the Luton & South bedfordshire College from the time of their engagement by the Company. The General rule is that they spend a total of one day a week at the College at the firm's expense and with no loss to themselves, and they are expected to spend at least an equivalent amount of time on study at the College in the evenings. No fees or premiums are required except in special circumstances. THE FUTURE To provide for future expansion of the business, Hayward Tyler have purchased an extensive site at Dunstable and are planning to transfer the whole of the present Luton production to a new factory on this site during the next few years. Work has already begun on this project. In Kitchener, Ontario, the construction is now well advanced of a Steel Foundry for an associated company, Hayward Tyler of Canada Limited. This foundry will endeavor to satisfy the demand for high grade alloy steel castings, and for this purpose will be equipped with three electric induction furnaces of the most modern type.

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Hayward Tyler,
Howard, Robert Luke,
Howard, Eliot,
Lloyd, Robert Samuel,
Lloyds Bank,
Edison, Thomas Alva

LUTON, pumps, London, air raids over UK, Edinburgh, aerated water manufacturer, London Holborn, iron foundry, general fire, steam turbine, oil refinery, apprenticeship