A History of GKN : Volume 1: Innovation and Enterprise, 1759-1918

This is the story of a major business enterprise. It describes the transformation of a small partnership, formed in 1759, into an international group, the scale of whose diverse activities has demanded the creation of a multi-divisional structure, supported by many specialist departments. Probably the most longeval of Britain's current manufacturing companies, GKN's history may be interpreted as a unique and revealing insight into Britain's industrial experience over past centuries. Front Matter....Pages i-xxxviii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Guests and Foundations at Merthyr, 1759–93....Pages 3-33 War and Expansion at Dowlais, 1793–1815....Pages 35-57 Supremacy in Iron, 1815–40....Pages 59-95 Railways and Crisis at Dowlais, The 1840s....Pages 97-132 Front Matter....Pages 133-133 The Origins of Nettlefold & Chamberlain 1823–80....Pages 135-163 Arthur Keen and the Patent Nut & Bolt Co. 1856–1900....Pages 165-198 Nettlefolds Ltd. and the Screw Industry, 1880–1902....Pages 199-236 Front Matter....Pages 237-237 Transition at Dowlais, The 1850s and 1860s....Pages 239-287 Dowlais in the Steel Era, 1870–1900....Pages 289-327 South Wales: More Steel and Coal, 1900–14....Pages 329-358 Front Matter....Pages 359-359 Guest Keen & Nettlefolds, Its Formation and Early Years 1900–14....Pages 361-378 GKN and the Great War 1914–18....Pages 379-401 Conclusions....Pages 403-416 Back Matter....Pages 417-442