Albright and Wilson
4299701
223541673
2008-07-04T15:04:11Z
TubularWorld
4759276
Quick-adding category "Companies established in 1856" (using [[WP:HOTCAT|HotCat]])
'''Albright and Wilson''' was founded in [[1856]] as a [[United Kingdom]] manufacturer of [[potassium chlorate]] and white [[phosphorus]] for the [[match]] industry. For much of its first 100 years of existence, phosphorus-derived chemicals formed the majority of its products.
It was set up as a [[Partnership]] between two [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]], Arthur Albright, and John Edward Wilson. It became a [[Private limited company by shares|private limited company]], '''Albright & Wilson Ltd''', in [[1892]]; and it remained a double family-owned firm, for nearly 100 years, until [[5 March]] [[1948]], when it became a [[public company]].<ref name=threlafall-14>Threlfall (1951). Chapter XIV: ''The Public Company.''</ref>
Albright and Wilson expanded considerably into [[silicone]]s, [[detergent]]s, food additives, metal finishing chemicals, [[strontium]] based chemicals and [[chromium]] based chemicals. It was the second largest [[chemical compound|chemical]] manufacturer in the United Kingdom; although it was always very much smaller than [[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]].
In [[1971]] [[Tenneco]] bought a part of Albright and Wilson's share holdings; and in [[1978]] obtained full ownership. In the short term, the company retained its own identity; however many of its subsidiaries were sold off. In 1995, Tenneco divested many of its assets; and parts of the original core of Albright and Wilson were transferred into a new public company, Albright and Wilson [[Public limited company|Plc]] which was floated on the stock market, in February of that year. However, just four years later, following disappointing results, the [[France|French]] chemical company [[Rhodia (company)|Rhodia]] acquired Albright and Wilson in 1999 and the century-and-a-half old name finally disappeared except in India, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.<ref name=podger>Hugh Podger (2002). ''Albright & Wilson: The Last 50 Years''. Studley: Brewin Books. ISBN 1-85858-223-1.</ref>
Parts of the original Albright and Wilson company are now owned by the [[Huntsman Corporation]]. After a large fire at its Avonmouth plant in 1996, which caused the temporary closure of local [[motorway]]s and rail services, Albright and Wilson were fined £60,000.<ref name="hse1999">{{cite web | title=The Fire at Albright and Wilson, Avonmouth. 3rd October 1996 | publisher=''[[Health and Safety Executive]]'' | date=2008-04-08 | url=http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/casealbright96.htm | accessdate=2008-04-11}}</ref>
==The move to Oldbury==
In [[1842]] Arthur Albright, a trained [[chemist]], became a Partner in the [[Birmingham]] chemical firm of [[John and Edmund Sturge]]; his sister had married Edmund Sturge who was also a Quaker. The Sturges were already manufacturing potassium chlorate for the match industry, at their chemical works at [[Selly Oak]], adjacent to the [[Worcester and Birmingham Canal]].<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22964 British History Online]</ref> Albright therefore added the production of white phosphorus in [[1844]].
In [[1850]] the production of potassium chlorate and white phosphorus was moved to Langley Green, [[Oldbury, West Midlands]]; and production of white phosphorus restarted in [[1851]].<ref name=threlfall-4>Threlfall (1951). Chapter IV: ''The Foundations, 1844-56: John Wilson''.</ref>
The new site was located next door to the firm of [[Chance and Hunt]] in order to obtain access to a supply of [[sulfuric acid]] and [[hydrochloric acid]]; and of [[coal]] from the [[Black Country]] coal fields. It was also adjacent to two different arms of the [[Birmingham Canal Navigations]], (the BCN), one leading off the [[Titford Canal]], so it had good transport links.<ref name=threlfall-4/>
Production of the red form of [[phosphorus#forms|phosphorus]], "amorphous phosphorus" was commenced by Arthur Albright in [[1851]], by heating white phosphorus in a sealed crucible under a vacuum. In had been discovered by [[Professor Schrötter]], in [[Vienna]] and [[Patent|patented]] by him. However, it was explosive to make and Albright discovered a safe means of production.
On [[31 December]] [[1854]] Albright terminated his partnership with the Sturges; and John Edward Wilson, a [[merchant]], joined him. In [[1856]] John Edward Wilson became a partner, and the new partnership was known as '''Albright and Wilson'''. In [[1857]] John Wilson married the sister of Rachel Albright (Albright's wife).
The Sturge Brothers continued as manufacturing chemists at Birmingham, but moved their works to [[Stirchley, West Midlands|Stirchley]]; and no longer had any involvement with phosphorus.
Oldbury remained the Headquarters of Albright and Wilson for most of the company's existence, eventually becoming known as the '''Oldbury Division'''. The Oldbury site was also the location of its central Research Laboratories.
The firm also maintained a [[leased]] [[London]] office, at [[Knightsbridge|Knightsbridge Green]]. In October 1974 it moved its Industrial Chemicals Divisional Offices, from Oldbury, to [[County Borough of Warley|Warley]]. The six-storey office block, A&W House, at 210-222 [[Hagley Road]], was originally rented for 25 years. Fifteen years later, parts of the Head Office were moved from Knightsbridge Green to A&W House. In October 1991 the Head Office moved to A&W House; and in 1997 the feehold of the building was purchased. A&W House was sold in 2001; and is now known as Quadrant West.<ref name=podger-218>Hugh Podger (2002), Page 218.</ref> [http://www.kingsturge.co.uk/commercial/news/15m-refurbishment-for-quadrant-west-birmingham.htm]
==Phosphorus and match phosphates==
In the early days, [[phosphorus#forms|white phosphorus]] was obtained from [[bone]] ash by treating them with hydrochloric acid to produce precipitated phosphates. Then heating the meta phosphate for several days in a sealed [[crucible]], in a [[retort]], and [[distillation|distilling]] off phosphorus vapour, under water. Huge quantities of coal were needed for heating these retorts.
The production of white phosphorus was improved by using [[phosphate]] rock and sulfuric acid instead of bone ash and hydrochloric acid; and by the use of [[reverberatory furnace]]s instead of the direct-heated furnaces.
White and amorphous phosphorus remained the main product of Albright and Wilson until [[World War I]].
White phosphorus was poisonous to match makers, causing [[Phossy jaw]]. Albright and Wilson exhibited amorphous phosphorus at the [[Great Exhibition]] of [[1851]], at [[The Crystal Palace]]. A sample was taken away for testing by the two [[Sweden|Swedish]] brothers [[Lundstrom]], to make an experimental match composition. In [[1855]], just before the [[Paris Exhibition]], [[John Edvard Lundstrom]] found that the matches were still usable. He placed a large order for amorphous phosphorus with Albright and Wilson and this led to the foundation of the Swedish Safety Match Industry.
In [[1899]] Albright and Wilson added [[phosphorus sesquisulfide]] production. They were the first company to produce phosphorus sesquisulfide commercially: it was fiery and dangerous to make. Two [[French people|French]] chemists, Savene and Cahen, proved that year that it was non-poisonous and could be used to make safety matches. Savene and Cahen [[Patent|Patented]] the match formula.
In [[1929]] the '''British Match Corporation''', formerly known as [[Bryant and May]], set up a jointly-owned company with Albright and Wilson: The '''A & W Match Phosphorus Company'''. It took over ownership of a small part of the Oldbury site concerned with producing amorphous phosphorus and phosphorus sesquisulfide.
==Expansion==
Albright and Wilson expanded both by opening new sites and by buying up its rivals. The original phosphorus-based part of the company became known as the '''Oldbury Division'''. As they moved into new areas, they set up new Divisions.
Just after the end of [[World War I]], Albright and Wilson took over the [[Holmes' Marine Life Protection Association]]. It remained within Oldbury Division.
==Oldbury Division==
In [[1888]] a [[patent]] was granted to four people from [[Wolverhampton]] covering the use of an [[electricity|electric]] furnace to produce white phosphorus from phosphate rock; and in 1890 they set up a works at [[Wednesfield]] to produce phosphorus. Albright and Wilson bought the patent and the works; and ran it for two years whilst they built their own furnace at Oldbury. The Wednesfield works was then closed down.
==Marchon Division==
In 1955 Albright and Wilson took over the [[Marchon Chemical Company]] based in [[Whitehaven]], which produced phosphorus-based [[detergent]]s. The name ended when the French company, Rhodia, took over in 1999.
==References==
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==Further reading==
* Beaver, Patrick (1985). ''The Match Makers''. London: Henry Melland Limited. ISBN 0-907929-11-7.
* Morris, Peter J.T. and Russell, Colin A. (1988). ''Archives of the British Chemical Industry: 1750 - 1914''. Stanford: British Society for the History of Science. (BSHS Monograph 6). ISBN 0-906450-06-3.
* Podger, Hugh (2002). ''Albright & Wilson; the Last 50 Years''. Studley: Brewin Books. ISBN 1-85858-223-7.
* Threlfall, Richard E. (1952). ''The Story of 100 Years of Phosphorus Making: 1851 - 1951''. Oldbury: Albright & Wilson Ltd.
* A picture gallery (hosted by Flickr.com) showing Marchon, from a working site to final demolition http://www.flickr.com/photos/horrgakx/collections/72157600295435668/
[[Category:Defunct companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Chemical companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1856]]
[[fr:Albright et Wilson]]