Title
Business archive for Craven Brothers Ltd, machine tool makers.
Reference
YA1971.10/MS0165
Production date
1860 - 1967
Creator
- Craven Brothers LtdBiographyBiography
1853-1967, machine tool maker and crane manufacturer, Salford.
Craven Brothers was formed in 1853, at Dawson Croft Mill, Salford by brothers Greenwood and William Craven. Their primary function was to make machinary tools for locomotives but they soon branched out into other machinary areas particularly armaments.
In 1900, the company moved to a 25 acre-site in Reddish, near Stockport, called the Vauxhall Works. By the early 20th century they had become best known for their cranes, but also made planing machines, radial drills and slotting machines.
During the World Wars, the company came under governmental control and after the depression of the First World War the company managed to stay open because of its good export business particularly with Russia. In 1928, Craven Brothers merged with Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth & Co. Ltd, Joshua Buckton & Co. Ltd and Thomas Shanks & Co. Ltd however the factories of these comapnies closed and all moved to the Reddish factory of the Craven brothers.
In 1961 the Denton branch works were sold. In 1967 the company was bought by Staveley Industries Ltd and the Reddish factory closed in 1970.
Scope and Content
32 shelves of company records, including minute books, annual reports, accounts, registers of shareholders, stock ledgers, salary ledgers, private account journals, works graphs, orders received, legal and estate documents, correspondence, catalogues, Craven Gazette, records of overseas agencies, contract records relating to Arcos Ltd, publicity photographs (including photographs of products by Shanks Brothers and Kendal and Gent), and newspaper cuttings.
Extent
32 linear metres
Archival history
Donated to the North Western Museum of Science and Industry by Staveley Machine Tools Ltd
Level of description
TOP
Repository name
Science and Industry Museum
Associated people and organisations
- Craven Brothers LtdBiographyBiography
1853-1967, machine tool maker and crane manufacturer, Salford.
Craven Brothers was formed in 1853, at Dawson Croft Mill, Salford by brothers Greenwood and William Craven. Their primary function was to make machinary tools for locomotives but they soon branched out into other machinary areas particularly armaments.
In 1900, the company moved to a 25 acre-site in Reddish, near Stockport, called the Vauxhall Works. By the early 20th century they had become best known for their cranes, but also made planing machines, radial drills and slotting machines.
During the World Wars, the company came under governmental control and after the depression of the First World War the company managed to stay open because of its good export business particularly with Russia. In 1928, Craven Brothers merged with Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth & Co. Ltd, Joshua Buckton & Co. Ltd and Thomas Shanks & Co. Ltd however the factories of these comapnies closed and all moved to the Reddish factory of the Craven brothers.
In 1961 the Denton branch works were sold. In 1967 the company was bought by Staveley Industries Ltd and the Reddish factory closed in 1970.
Subject
Conditions governing access
Open access.
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions.
External document
Related object
