Leeds's lost steel fabrication industry

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Tue 21 Aug, 2012 9:35 pm

MWD wrote: Your little outburst suggests you are the tetchy one Jogon In attempt to get back to the subject.......Yes, indeed it was the Bensons who were at the helm during my time there.They ran a tight ship, and kept many skilled men busy fabricating anything from irrigation reels, motorway gantrys, pressure vessels etc.The mainstay of the work though was well heads used in the offshore oil drilling industry.The old lads who had nothing to prove were the guys who passed on all their knowledge to the apprentices, whereas the younger blokes were more intent on making life hard for the apprentices.The work kept plenty of Leeds based firms busy :-The steel stock holders.Taylors themselves.Longs of Leeds (transport)Corrocoat.Austin HayesCameronsto name but a fewI left Taylors in the early 90's and went in search of more lucrative work, and now through a series of lucky breaks and concidences, have nothing to do with the trade, although thanks to being taught well can still remember how to develop cones, barrels etc. Well done MWD.....cheers for reply.I think A.Taylor has been one of the "survivors" from the general demise starting in the 80's,being quite successful in diversifying it's business to attract a wider spread of work.I believe Camerons,now Cooper Oil Tools has kept going but find work a bit patchy.I have a relative who works there still.

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Tue 21 Aug, 2012 9:38 pm

Jogon wrote: Don't forget Leonard Coopers (mentioned re Leeds United I think).MWD's getting tetchy... There was a thread about 'made in Leeds' but can't find it. It was current not historic. This one ?http://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Mess ... eadID=3602

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 22 Aug, 2012 3:39 pm

uncle mick ta, I've looked all over for that.[quotenick="MWD"]Your little outburst suggests you are the tetchy one Jogon [end]Bit of a soap box wasn't it I accept your implied apology for the 'touche' on my 'techy'

edlong · Post by **edlong** » Wed 22 Aug, 2012 3:40 pm

John King survives, but is now located in Sherburn-in-Elmet

MWD · Post by **MWD** » Wed 22 Aug, 2012 7:02 pm

MWD wrote: Your little outburst suggests you are the tetchy one Jogon [end]Bit of a soap box wasn't it I accept your implied apology for the 'touche' on my 'techy' No apology offered or implied.However I will accept your admission that you cannot accept advice or critisim without the need to feel that you have had the last word.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Wed 22 Aug, 2012 11:23 pm

edlong wrote: John King survives, but is now located in Sherburn-in-Elmet Thanks edlong......I believe Dennis Wheatley,later of G & W eng,Cross Green was a major influence in the fortunes of this company.Was an impressive place on Garnet Rd. a few years ago (J.King).

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 22 Aug, 2012 11:25 pm

[quotenick="somme1916"] Jogon wrote: Don't forget Leonard Coopers (mentioned re Leeds United I think)[end].Coopers in the first post jogon.....they built the south stand at Headingley back in the 1920's I believe.(if not 30's). Thanks somme1916Re Leonard CoopersCardiearms found (on a Leo thread) that their earliest steelworks were "used in the building of the Malt Kilns on Cardigan Road, Leeds in 1923; the stands at the Headingley Football ground in 1931 and Leeds Regal Cinema, which was built in 1936". http://www.leonardcooperltd.co.uk/cms/u ... 0page1.jpg

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Wed 22 Aug, 2012 11:58 pm

[quotenick="Jogon"] somme1916 wrote: Jogon wrote: Don't forget Leonard Coopers (mentioned re Leeds United I think)[end].Coopers in the first post jogon.....they built the south stand at Headingley back in the 1920's I believe.(if not 30's). Thanks somme1916Re Leonard CoopersCardiearms found (on a Leo thread) that their earliest steelworks were "used in the building of the Malt Kilns on Cardigan Road, Leeds in 1923; the stands at the Headingley Football ground in 1931 and Leeds Regal Cinema, which was built in 1936". http://www.leonardcooperltd.co.uk/cms/u ... 0page1.jpg Cheers jogon, Leonard Coopers,clearly a survivor in tumultuous times in that particular industry.I used to get on well with the Hobson family who are still heavily involved with this particular company.Great individuals.......honest,hard working folk,also too the guys on the shop floor.I wish them well in their challenges ahead.

morleyman2 · Post by **morleyman2** » Mon 29 Oct, 2012 6:04 pm

MWD wrote: Well done MWD.....cheers for reply.I think A.Taylor has been one of the "survivors" from the general demise starting in the 80's,being quite successful in diversifying it's business to attract a wider spread of work.I believe Camerons,now Cooper Oil Tools has kept going but find work a bit patchy.I have a relative who works there still. A.Taylors is opening a fourth site in Leeds, they took over the old H Pontifex site after they closed, that will be their second site on Pepper Road (they also took on Archer Engineering site when they closed).They also have factories in Armley (Old Blakeys segs shop) and a another site on Kirkstall Road, under viaduct.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Mon 29 Oct, 2012 6:41 pm

morleyman2 wrote: MWD wrote: Well done MWD.....cheers for reply.I think A.Taylor has been one of the "survivors" from the general demise starting in the 80's,being quite successful in diversifying it's business to attract a wider spread of work.I believe Camerons,now Cooper Oil Tools has kept going but find work a bit patchy.I have a relative who works there still. A.Taylors is opening a fourth site in Leeds, they took over the old H Pontifex site after they closed, that will be their second site on Pepper Road (they also took on Archer Engineering site when they closed).They also have factories in Armley (Old Blakeys segs shop) and a another site on Kirkstall Road, under viaduct. Ecky thump ! Is there no one place left now in Leeds big enough to consolidate all on one site ?