Records of Percy and Halden (Edible Products) Ltd, edible oil and fat manufacturers, Kinning Park, Glasgow, Scotland
- Reference:GB 248 UGD 260/3
- Dates of Creation:1902-1980 (predominant 1953-1980)
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:[not recorded]
Scope and Content
- Directors and shareholders minutes 1953-1980
- Inventory and valuation of plant, machinery and fittings 1966
- Machinery valuation and depreciation books 1902-1963
- Journal 1954-1972
- Samples tested book 1964-1980
Administrative / Biographical History
The first company to be called Percy & Halden Ltd was incorporated in 1909 with head offices in Kinning Park, Glasgow, Scotland, and by the 1950s was a specialist in the manufacture of lubricants and edible oils and fats. In 1953 , the company incorporated a subsidiary, Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd, to take on the edible oils and fats side of the company. In 1963 , Percy & Halden Ltd changed its name to Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd and this new company incorporated a new firm, Percy & Halden Ltd, as a subsidiary in that year to concentrate of the mineral lubricant side of the business. The holding company of the two subsidiaries dealt with their finances, staffing and combined administrative services.
Production of oil and fat products had been limited by rationing following the 1939-1945 World War but the lifting of rationing in 1953 meant that the business was able to expand. In order to facilitate this, Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd was incorporated. Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd acquired the part of Percy & Halden Ltd's business relating to the processing, manufacture and merchanting of edible fats and oils for £20,000 along with its goodwill, plant, machinery, motor vehicles and stock. In 1955 , the company modernised its lard manufacturing plant and introduced a 5-day week for its employees. The company made its first profit in 1956 and dividends were issued yearly from then on of around 10-15 percent.
The market for the companies edible fat products included Scotland, the north of England, Europe and India with major industries being fish and chip shops and the baking industry. In 1939 , Percy & Halden Ltd had had hundreds of bakery customers for its edible oils but the post-war bakery amalgamations and decline of the industry meant that by 1974 there were only c20 large bakeries requiring the company's products.
By 1978 , the edible fat market was in depression and the company was making a loss. By 1980 , the company's commercial activities became the food division of Percy & Halden Ltd and Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd lay dormant. In c1991 , the company was sold and became Central Petroleum Ltd with offices at Grangemouth, Falkirk, Scotland.
Arrangement
The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received
Access Information
Open
Acquisition Information
Deposit : Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd via BAC(S) : 1989
Other Finding Aids
Digital file level list available in searchroom
Manual file level list available at the National Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)) and London (NRA)
Alternative Form Available
No known copies
Archivist's Note
Fonds level description compiled by David Powell, Hub Project Archivist, 22 April 2003.
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures
Custodial History
Held by Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd
Accruals
None expected
Related Material
GB 248 UGD 260/1 Records of Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd
GB 248 UGD 260/2 Records of Percy & Halden Ltd
GB 248 UGD 260/4 Records of RMD Property Co Ltd
Location of Originals
This material is original
Bibliography
No known publications using this material
Subjects
Corporate Names