RootsChat.Com

England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Warwickshire => Topic started by: Ibbo2000 on Friday 28 December 12 19:46 GMT (UK)

Title: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: Ibbo2000 on Friday 28 December 12 19:46 GMT (UK)
Hello

Wondering if anyone has access to the city directories for the Birmingham area and can tell me if there are any sanitary ware manufacturers listed for the early 1900's to possibly as late as the 1950's- it's a bit of a long shot as information I have is a little vague - hoping there are not too many and that a name may be familiar and be in my tree (particularly hoping for Knight, but could well be another surname within the family). The recollection I have been told is that relatives visiting family in Birmingham would see there name on the porcelain in some pubs.

Many thanks
Kev.
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: ColC on Saturday 29 December 12 09:28 GMT (UK)
You could try http://www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/Welcome.aspx
It's a very low cost pay to view site with directories from 1700s to 1973.

Colin
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: shyster2008 on Sunday 30 December 12 19:16 GMT (UK)
Hi Ibbo2002.
Looking at your Posting I think that you are looking at "Sanitary Ware" as in sinks, Washbasins etc
If I am correct, then have a look at "Armitage Shanks"...Solihull, Birmingham.
If you are looking for "Ladies Sanitary ware" then "SOUTHALLS" in Aston Brirmingham is the best place to look.
Hope you have some luck with what you are Researching...
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you.
Brian.
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: shyster2008 on Sunday 30 December 12 19:45 GMT (UK)
Hi Ibbo 2000...Sorry if I got your name wrong last time....
Anway...Armitage Shanks Ltd, Founded in 1817 by Thomas Bond in Armitage, Staffordshire.
In 1907, The Company was Incorporated and Renamed .
In 1969 the Company merged with Shanks Holdings and in 1980 was Purchased by Blue Circle.
I don`t think you are interested with the last ....
Concentrate on 1907 link OK?
You`ll find Relevant Information on Wikipedia...
Hope you get what you are looking for.
Brian
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: jim1 on Monday 31 December 12 12:17 GMT (UK)
1914 Bennett's Directory:Sanitary ware manufacturers.
Doulton & Co.
Stock Sons & Taylor.
C.Winn & Co.
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: shyster2008 on Monday 31 December 12 19:35 GMT (UK)
1914 Bennett's Directory:Sanitary ware manufacturers.
Doulton & Co.
Stock Sons & Taylor.
C.Winn & Co.

The person that is requesting information on Sanitaryware is asking for Information on Birmingham Sanitaryware Manufacturers....Doulton & Co were established in Stoke on Trent...
Never been to a Loo and seen Stock, Sons & Taylor..Nor have I ever seen C. Winn & Co.

Bennett`s Directory may be the answer....

I wish the Rootschatter lots of luck on this one....

All I could come up was, As I said earlier, "Armitage Shanks"....You still see it now..Albeit in the "Boys Room" !!! only.

Brian.
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: jim1 on Monday 31 December 12 20:30 GMT (UK)
These are all B'ham manufacturers.
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: Ibbo2000 on Tuesday 08 January 13 14:49 GMT (UK)
Many thanks for the replies, sorry for not replying earlier, illness has got in the way.

Thanks for the 1914 directory, will have to see if any names fit in with names I have in my tree - not looking promising at the moment, more research required I think into relatives who remained in the area.

Kev.
Title: Re: Sanitary ware manufacturers in the Birmingham area?
Post by: rando on Wednesday 06 February 13 08:48 GMT (UK)
Don't just limit your search to sanitary ware manufacturers. Consider also distributors of sanitary ware such as plumber's merchants.
For example, A.D. Foulkes Ltd were a firm of plumber's and builder's merchants based in Birmingham with branches across the Midlands, from the 1900s through to the 1970s. They sold sanitary ware (hand basins, high level toilet cisterns, urinals etc) bearing their brand name, but I do not think they actually made these items themselves.