John Thompson Limited was a major engineering business based in Wolverhampton, in its latter years offering products for the nuclear engineering industry.
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Engineering |
| Founded | 1820 |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Fate | Acquired |
| Successor | Clarke Chapman |
| Headquarters | Wolverhampton, UK |
| Products | Nuclear engineering Boilers Pressure vessels |
History edit
The company was founded by William Thompson, in or around 1820, in Wolverhampton, as a general engineering business.[1] In 1850, the business passed to William's brother, Stephen, and in 1860, it passed to William's son, John. Within ten years it was concentrating on manufacturing boilers.[1]
By 1914, the company had expanded into motor pressings. During World War I it made cowlings for Sopwith aircraft and, in World War II, it made airscrews for Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft.[1]
In the 1950s, as part of a consortium with AEI, the company was awarded a contract to supply boilers and reactor pressure vessels for the Berkeley nuclear power station.[2]
In 1970, the business was acquired by Clarke Chapman[3] and, in 2004, the Ettingshall Works was closed.[1]
External links edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d Building of New Works, John Thompson (Wolverhampton) Ltd, Wolverhampton Black Country History
- ^ The UK Magnox and AGR Power Station Projects[permanent dead link]
- ^ The Times, 17 June 1970