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The Early Years - Part 3 |
| In
1901 a new pneumatic tyre shop was built and cycle
tyre production had risen to an output valued
at £1,000 per week. Mr Fullers' original
objective to reduce unemployment in Melksham had
been realised. Additional houses were built because
the factory had grown so large that there was
a serious shortage of housing available in Melksham
for the employees. A year later in 1902 three
new mixers were purchased and nearly three acres
of adjacent land acquired for expansion. The mechanical
shop was extended and spreading and waste-grinding
shops were built. A new boiler and chimney were
also erected.
The Society of Motor
Manufacturers and Traders was founded in July
1902 with 50 members and under its auspices the
first ever Motor Show was held at Crystal Palace
in 1904, the year that Avon became a member.
In 1903 the first set of
29 beaded edge motor tyre moulds was ordered.
By then the three main product groups were rubber
components for railways and electrical engineering
work, solid tyres and pneumatic bicycle tyres.
The year 1906 was a milestone
in the development of the company - sales exceeded
£100,000. Avon car tyres were advertised
for the first time - in the magazine Autocar.
Cycle tyres were selling particularly well and
one order from Rudge Whitworth was for 23,000
covers and 40,000 tubes. At the same time an order
was won for 10½ miles of window strip.
The Managing Director's diary records "60
miles of orders. Not bad for today!"
By now, the Avon workforce
numbered over 300. Site improvements included
a new compound and rubber stores and a new telephone
system and a small depot was opened in London
at 31 Brook Street.
1908 was another good year
for the company. Sales increased to £145,000
with a profit of £24,285 - this nearly doubled
the previous record established in 1907. |
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On 31
July 1908, the Trilithon (Stonehenge) trademark
was registered with the phrase "Symbols
of Endurance". It was explained thus: "The
adoption of this noble and historical trademark
was decided upon in full consciousness of the high
standard of excellence which such an emblem implied … because Avon products, in addition to other
noble characteristics, possessed in a remarkable
degree the two skills of strength and durability." |
In 1910,
research began into the manufacture of golf balls.
They quickly went into manufacture and by 1914,
sales of golf balls amounted to £5,000 for
the year. Some years later, this profitable business
was sold on to Dunlop who still manufacture golf
balls today.
When a correspondent from
the London Times visited the Melksham site
in June 1914 he wrote "a magnificent all-British
industry has been developed here from small and
humble beginnings into full maturity. Established
as a private family concern, it has thriven and
prospered to a truly amazing extent. The Melksham
factory employs more than a thousand hands …
the output of the motor tyre department is enormous."
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