Image ID: 07554

Blagg and Johnson's Sheet Metal Works

Courtesy of Antoine

Massey Street
Newark on Trent
England

Founded in April 1921, the business was originally set up at the Beacon Bridge Works for the manufacture of metal pipes, guttering and other rainwater goods, using pre-coated galvanised steel bought in from foundries across the country, but it later widened its range to include pipework and steel pressings. Its co-founder was Mrs Emily Blagg whose principle partner initially was Frank Millhill Johnson, an Australian who came to England after WW1, having spent 20 years working in the American pressed steel industry. He introduced their main patented product - the Jupiter Metal Angle Bead (used on corners when rendering), then left the company just 6 months after it was set up. Jupiter Metal Angle Bead was used in the construction of the Palace Theatre on Appletongate, Newark, which had been largely financed by Mrs Emily Blagg. The company's products were used widely at home as well as war damaged France and Belgium. Its success led, by the late 1920's, to the development of a parallel business, applying pressed steel into the manufacture of metal doors and window frames, and extending the use of a variety of other metals such as brass, aluminium, copper, zinc and tin. The Beacon Bridge Works were built next to the Cross Street railway sidings, which were used for the transportation of materials and goods in and out of the factory. The factory worked on a rapid turnaround of raw materials to finished wares using the latest in technology at that time. Machinery was bought from the Canton Foundry in Ohio, and Messrs Ohl and Co of Newark, New Jersey, USA. One such machine making 4,000 ft of pipe per day. The factory was powered entirely by electricity (generated on site by a 54hp Crossley gas engine). The factory was quickly built using the new method of steel frame construction, which allowed for new sections to be bolted on when the firm wished to expand. The steel sections were infilled with bricks made from clay dug out from the site at an earlier date by the ever enterprising Emily Watson (her bricks were also used in her other buildings around Newark such as the aforementioned Palace Theatre). The new factory (now the stores section) was built over the excavations using a series of supporting piers (during the 2nd World War the space was used as an air raid shelter). The company still thrives today.

Date: 1946

Organisation Reference: NCCE001360

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