A HISTORY OF THE FIRM
AND ITS CO-FOUNDER
GEORGE BRIDDON
(RESEARCH BY BRIAN IRLAM - HIS GRANDSON)
EARLY DAYS
George Briddon - Aged 51
George Briddon was born on 24th November 1858 in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Mill Street, where he spent his early childhood, was just a small group of houses next to The Victoria Mill. This mill was a water powered working flour mill where the young George’s uncle, also George and also living in the street, was the miller. In this little community it seems likely that the young lad would be very familiar with the milling process of the time that involved the traditional millstone methods in small production units.
George got his schooling long before the days of free state education. He said his father paid the schoolmaster three pence a week, but some of his schoolmates paid in kind with such things as a sack of potatoes or the occasional eel or trout tickled from the River Wye which fed the millrace.
George got his schooling long before the days of free state education. He said his father paid the schoolmaster three pence a week, but some of his schoolmates paid in kind with such things as a sack of potatoes or the occasional eel or trout tickled from the River Wye which fed the millrace.
STARTING A CAREER IN A RADICALLY CHANGING INDUSTRY
Victoria Mill, Bakewell - as it is today.
The idyllic country life however was soon to end for George; the expansion of trade and industry drew people into the cities and the Briddon family moved to Manchester in the early 1870s. George somehow managed to continue his education and trained to be a Draughtsman, as the 1881 Census records.
Until about 1878 all milling of cereals was accomplished by traditional millstone methods that were proving unsuitable for producing the large quantities of flour required by an expanding population. Change was further propelled by the increasing demand for white bread, the white flour for which required further sifting, sorting and purification. Clearly, the transformation of the flour milling industry on mass production lines began at this time with experiments in the use of steel roller machinery. The change was made at an astonishing rate and within ten years the millstone had been almost done away with.
Until about 1878 all milling of cereals was accomplished by traditional millstone methods that were proving unsuitable for producing the large quantities of flour required by an expanding population. Change was further propelled by the increasing demand for white bread, the white flour for which required further sifting, sorting and purification. Clearly, the transformation of the flour milling industry on mass production lines began at this time with experiments in the use of steel roller machinery. The change was made at an astonishing rate and within ten years the millstone had been almost done away with.
WORKING WITH HENRY SIMON
Henry Simon
A pioneering leader in this new field of milling engineering was Henry Simon who, born in Silesia in 1835 had become a British subject in 1862. He took a small office at St. Peter’s Square in Manchester in 1867 working as a consulting engineer but developed an interest in the new ideas of automatic roller milling systems and in 1878 founded his business to design and build the machines.
In 1885 George Briddon joined the drawing office staff of Henry Simon at the firm’s new offices in Mount Street, Manchester. In the story of The Simon Engineering Group the author, E.D.Simon, records that there were only fourteen office staff in 1883 but only two years later The Miller, October 1885 notes that there were ‘a large staff of draughtsmen’ at that time. Without a doubt, George had arrived at a time of great expansion. As a member of this team of milling experts, engineers and draughtsmen George would have been at the heart of the leap in technology taking place in the 1880’s and 1890’s. In that period numerous patents were taken out in the names of Henry Simon and George Huxley (the then head of the Drawing Office).
In 1885 George Briddon joined the drawing office staff of Henry Simon at the firm’s new offices in Mount Street, Manchester. In the story of The Simon Engineering Group the author, E.D.Simon, records that there were only fourteen office staff in 1883 but only two years later The Miller, October 1885 notes that there were ‘a large staff of draughtsmen’ at that time. Without a doubt, George had arrived at a time of great expansion. As a member of this team of milling experts, engineers and draughtsmen George would have been at the heart of the leap in technology taking place in the 1880’s and 1890’s. In that period numerous patents were taken out in the names of Henry Simon and George Huxley (the then head of the Drawing Office).
Robert J. Fowler
Another prominent personality in Simon’s firm during this expansion was William Stringer, not an engineer but described as a ‘milling expert’ by Simon and much relied upon by him for his practical experience. Stringer died in 1893, aged only forty and was succeeded as milling expert by Robert J. Fowler who had joined the firm in 1889.
'BRIDDON & FOWLER' IS FORMED
Henry Simon had become the most prominent professional engineer in this field and one can imagine the upheaval to the firm when he died in 1899. George Huxley became Managing Director in January 1900 and passed over his role as head of the Drawing Office to George Briddon, then aged 41. It was however a period of uncertainty as to how the firm was to continue and amalgamations with other firms were explored.
Clearly this was the time when George Briddon and Robert J. Fowler decided to break away and form their own firm ‘Briddon and Fowler’ which they accomplished in 1902, setting up their office at 225, 227,236 & 238, Corn Exchange, Manchester. A feature of the Simon organisation was its concentration on innovation and design, leaving the manufacture of the machinery itself to others under contract. Initially the fledgling Briddon and Fowler firm also adopted this practice and formed an association with Bernard Samuelson, a machinery manufacturer who’s Britannia Works was at Banbury, Oxon. A whole range of machinery was soon being produced under the name of ‘The Britannia’ and they claimed that they were “the first firm of milling engineers to popularise a roller mill with rolls placed diagonally” ("Milling" May 1905 and Briddon & Fowler 1906 Catalogue).
They began experiments on methods to simplify and improve the extraction of bran powder, dust and other fine particles within the roller mill process itself. Based on these experiments they devised and patented, during 1906 and 1907, (Patent No. 739 A.D.1906. – Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1906. Accepted, 11th April 1907) a major technical advance involving a process that they called ‘The Alphega System’ and which "The Miller" reported was “the simplest solution to a well-known but previously intractable problem”.
The first installation of the system in a major flourmill was at the works of Messrs. Robinson Bros., Town Mills, Rotherham and this caused considerable interest in milling circles. Reporting on a visit to this mill "The Miller" published a very detailed description of the newly developed system, saying “We were very much impressed with what we saw, and would advise all millers of a progressive disposition to see the arrangements at work – it is surely the Alpha and Omega of the break flour problem – the process is so intensely striking that we cannot forgo our desire to give it the widest publicity in our journal. We understand that Messrs. Briddon and Fowler have many orders in hand for their new system, millers who have seen it being loud in their praises, and we consider that this their latest innovation does them infinite credit.” Another trade magazine, "Milling" (July 7th. 1906) gave a very detailed technical appraisal of the Robinson Bros. installation but commenting on the name ‘Alphega’ said “This appears to be a most successful attempt at word formation, the stranger being the apparent combination of the two Greek words ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’ the first and last in the Greek alphabet. We know that it scalps at the first possible point after the breaking and hope it will turn out to be a lasting improvement to the milling process.” Further patents on the system were obtained in the United States, Germany and other foreign countries.
Following this success Briddon and Fowler decided to float as a limited company and develop manufacturing facilities under their own direct control to produce their own machinery. On 1st August 1908 Briddon & Fowler Limited was formed with a capital of £50,000 divided into 50,000 shares of £1 each and a factory was built at Bredbury near Stockport, Cheshire. This works provided comprehensive production services including a Foundry, Machine Shop, Woodworking Shop and a large assembly area that they called the Chief Erecting Shop. The works own railway siding gave direct access to the national rail network, an essential feature for the transport of the large and heavy machinery that was produced.
The achievement obtained by these developments was evident, the success of the ‘Alphega System’ was phenomenal and beyond their anticipation. (Briddon & Fowler 1914 Catalogue) At the time of the publication of the 1914 catalogue it had been applied to forty-two mills at home and abroad, and producing in the aggregate nearly five million sacks (each 280lbs.) of flour per annum. The most notable of Briddon & Fowler’s customers was Messrs. Joseph Rank Ltd., at that time the largest milling firm in the world who adopted the system for its new mills erected in Liverpool and as improvements to their existing mills in London, Hull and Cardiff.
Clearly this was the time when George Briddon and Robert J. Fowler decided to break away and form their own firm ‘Briddon and Fowler’ which they accomplished in 1902, setting up their office at 225, 227,236 & 238, Corn Exchange, Manchester. A feature of the Simon organisation was its concentration on innovation and design, leaving the manufacture of the machinery itself to others under contract. Initially the fledgling Briddon and Fowler firm also adopted this practice and formed an association with Bernard Samuelson, a machinery manufacturer who’s Britannia Works was at Banbury, Oxon. A whole range of machinery was soon being produced under the name of ‘The Britannia’ and they claimed that they were “the first firm of milling engineers to popularise a roller mill with rolls placed diagonally” ("Milling" May 1905 and Briddon & Fowler 1906 Catalogue).
They began experiments on methods to simplify and improve the extraction of bran powder, dust and other fine particles within the roller mill process itself. Based on these experiments they devised and patented, during 1906 and 1907, (Patent No. 739 A.D.1906. – Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1906. Accepted, 11th April 1907) a major technical advance involving a process that they called ‘The Alphega System’ and which "The Miller" reported was “the simplest solution to a well-known but previously intractable problem”.
The first installation of the system in a major flourmill was at the works of Messrs. Robinson Bros., Town Mills, Rotherham and this caused considerable interest in milling circles. Reporting on a visit to this mill "The Miller" published a very detailed description of the newly developed system, saying “We were very much impressed with what we saw, and would advise all millers of a progressive disposition to see the arrangements at work – it is surely the Alpha and Omega of the break flour problem – the process is so intensely striking that we cannot forgo our desire to give it the widest publicity in our journal. We understand that Messrs. Briddon and Fowler have many orders in hand for their new system, millers who have seen it being loud in their praises, and we consider that this their latest innovation does them infinite credit.” Another trade magazine, "Milling" (July 7th. 1906) gave a very detailed technical appraisal of the Robinson Bros. installation but commenting on the name ‘Alphega’ said “This appears to be a most successful attempt at word formation, the stranger being the apparent combination of the two Greek words ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’ the first and last in the Greek alphabet. We know that it scalps at the first possible point after the breaking and hope it will turn out to be a lasting improvement to the milling process.” Further patents on the system were obtained in the United States, Germany and other foreign countries.
Following this success Briddon and Fowler decided to float as a limited company and develop manufacturing facilities under their own direct control to produce their own machinery. On 1st August 1908 Briddon & Fowler Limited was formed with a capital of £50,000 divided into 50,000 shares of £1 each and a factory was built at Bredbury near Stockport, Cheshire. This works provided comprehensive production services including a Foundry, Machine Shop, Woodworking Shop and a large assembly area that they called the Chief Erecting Shop. The works own railway siding gave direct access to the national rail network, an essential feature for the transport of the large and heavy machinery that was produced.
The achievement obtained by these developments was evident, the success of the ‘Alphega System’ was phenomenal and beyond their anticipation. (Briddon & Fowler 1914 Catalogue) At the time of the publication of the 1914 catalogue it had been applied to forty-two mills at home and abroad, and producing in the aggregate nearly five million sacks (each 280lbs.) of flour per annum. The most notable of Briddon & Fowler’s customers was Messrs. Joseph Rank Ltd., at that time the largest milling firm in the world who adopted the system for its new mills erected in Liverpool and as improvements to their existing mills in London, Hull and Cardiff.
THE DEMISE OF BRIDDON & FOWLER LTD.
It is not clear why the so obviously successful business was amalgamated or sold to Henry Simon Ltd. in the opening months of 1915 but it appears to have been on the basis of a mutually amicable arrangement between both firms. Clearly the outbreak of World War 1 in August 1914 had caused many things to go into the melting pot and the production of munitions had largely replaced the manufacture of milling machinery.
Henry Simon’s son E.D. Simon, who had been at university when his father died, joined the board of Henry Simon Ltd. in 1906 and some years later had become Chairman so bringing back the family drive to the business. He regretted the loss to the firm of George Briddon and Robert J. Fowler and was conscious of their achievements with the Bredbury works and the resulting increased competition. The Henry Simon Ltd. "Occasional Letter" of March 1915 simply announced, “we have come to an agreement with Briddon and Fowler Ltd. under which Messrs. Briddon and Fowler personally have rejoined our staff.” Clearly the Simon firm were very proud of the move: the March 1915 publication being given over mainly to the advantages the valuable experience of the Bredbury talents and how the resources within the Works they had built up would benefit the firm. Under the agreement Simons acquired the patents relating to the Alphega system.
The news seems to have soon travelled worldwide: an Australian trade journal "The Australian – The Millers’ Journal, 31st May 1915" reported on “An important Milling Engineering amalgamation – Messrs. Henry Simon and Briddon & Fowler join forces” and “The Manchester factories are busy completing large South American orders, and also supplying large quantities of munitions to the British Government.”
Henry Simon’s son E.D. Simon, who had been at university when his father died, joined the board of Henry Simon Ltd. in 1906 and some years later had become Chairman so bringing back the family drive to the business. He regretted the loss to the firm of George Briddon and Robert J. Fowler and was conscious of their achievements with the Bredbury works and the resulting increased competition. The Henry Simon Ltd. "Occasional Letter" of March 1915 simply announced, “we have come to an agreement with Briddon and Fowler Ltd. under which Messrs. Briddon and Fowler personally have rejoined our staff.” Clearly the Simon firm were very proud of the move: the March 1915 publication being given over mainly to the advantages the valuable experience of the Bredbury talents and how the resources within the Works they had built up would benefit the firm. Under the agreement Simons acquired the patents relating to the Alphega system.
The news seems to have soon travelled worldwide: an Australian trade journal "The Australian – The Millers’ Journal, 31st May 1915" reported on “An important Milling Engineering amalgamation – Messrs. Henry Simon and Briddon & Fowler join forces” and “The Manchester factories are busy completing large South American orders, and also supplying large quantities of munitions to the British Government.”
LATER EVENTS
At the Satake Factory - 2004
(1) The Simon milling engineering business was sold in 1988 to the Thomas Robinson Group of Rochdale but soon the Satake Corporation of Japan purchased the milling engineering interests of this group in 1991 and it became Satake UK Ltd.
(2) The original Bredbury Works has long since disappeared but by a strange coincidence the Satake UK Division established a new factory in Bredbury so bringing the successors back to where Briddon & Fowler were some 90 years earlier.
(3) On a visit to the Satake factory in May 2004 the author was able to see a Briddon & Fowler Roller Mill of about 1906 vintage that had been recovered from a mill in Ireland and restored as an exhibition piece by the company’s engineering staff.
(2) The original Bredbury Works has long since disappeared but by a strange coincidence the Satake UK Division established a new factory in Bredbury so bringing the successors back to where Briddon & Fowler were some 90 years earlier.
(3) On a visit to the Satake factory in May 2004 the author was able to see a Briddon & Fowler Roller Mill of about 1906 vintage that had been recovered from a mill in Ireland and restored as an exhibition piece by the company’s engineering staff.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Glyn Jones, B.Sc., M.Phil.
Much of the information and references in this history have been gained from reading the extensive research undertaken by Glyn Jones and contained in his book "The Millers – A story of technological endeavour and industrial success, 1870-2001."
I am also indebted to Glyn for providing me with copies of various Patent details, pamphlets and magazine articles.
Bryan McGee, C.Eng. F.I.Mech.E., Satake Corporation UK Division.
For his keen interest in the historical links between Satake, Simon and Briddon & Fowler and for providing information from the Henry Simon archives which have now been handed over by the Simon family to the John Rylands Library, University of Manchester for the benefit of the community.
Much of the information and references in this history have been gained from reading the extensive research undertaken by Glyn Jones and contained in his book "The Millers – A story of technological endeavour and industrial success, 1870-2001."
I am also indebted to Glyn for providing me with copies of various Patent details, pamphlets and magazine articles.
Bryan McGee, C.Eng. F.I.Mech.E., Satake Corporation UK Division.
For his keen interest in the historical links between Satake, Simon and Briddon & Fowler and for providing information from the Henry Simon archives which have now been handed over by the Simon family to the John Rylands Library, University of Manchester for the benefit of the community.