Records of Percy and Halden (Edible Products) Ltd, edible oil and fat manufacturers, Kinning Park, Glasgow, Scotland

Scope and Content

  • Directors and shareholders minutes 1953-1980
  • Inventory and valuation of plant, machinery and fittings 1966
  • Machinery valuation and depreciation books 1902-1963
  • Journal 1954-1972
  • Samples tested book 1964-1980

Administrative / Biographical History

The first company to be called  Percy & Halden Ltd was incorporated in  1909  with head offices in Kinning Park, Glasgow, Scotland, and by the  1950s  was a specialist in the manufacture of lubricants and edible oils and fats. In  1953 , the company incorporated a subsidiary,  Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd, to take on the edible oils and fats side of the company. In  1963 , Percy & Halden Ltd changed its name to  Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd and this new company incorporated a new firm,  Percy & Halden Ltd, as a subsidiary in that year to concentrate of the mineral lubricant side of the business. The holding company of the two subsidiaries dealt with their finances, staffing and combined administrative services.

Production of oil and fat products had been limited by rationing following the 1939-1945 World War but the lifting of rationing in 1953 meant that the business was able to expand. In order to facilitate this, Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd was incorporated. Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd acquired the part of Percy & Halden Ltd's business relating to the processing, manufacture and merchanting of edible fats and oils for £20,000 along with its goodwill, plant, machinery, motor vehicles and stock. In  1955 , the company modernised its lard manufacturing plant and introduced a 5-day week for its employees. The company made its first profit in 1956 and dividends were issued yearly from then on of around 10-15 percent.

The market for the companies edible fat products included Scotland, the north of England, Europe and India with major industries being fish and chip shops and the baking industry. In  1939 , Percy & Halden Ltd had had hundreds of bakery customers for its edible oils but the post-war bakery amalgamations and decline of the industry meant that by  1974  there were only c20 large bakeries requiring the company's products.

By  1978 , the edible fat market was in depression and the company was making a loss. By  1980 , the company's commercial activities became the food division of Percy & Halden Ltd and Percy & Halden (Edible Products) Ltd lay dormant. In  c1991 , the company was sold and became Central Petroleum Ltd with offices at Grangemouth, Falkirk, Scotland.

Arrangement

The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Deposit : Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd via BAC(S) : 1989

Other Finding Aids

Digital file level list available in searchroom

Manual file level list available at the National Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)) and London (NRA)

Alternative Form Available

No known copies

Archivist's Note

Fonds level description compiled by David Powell, Hub Project Archivist, 22 April 2003.

Conditions Governing Use

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures

Custodial History

Held by Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

GB 248 UGD 260/1 Records of Percy & Halden (Holdings) Ltd

GB 248 UGD 260/2 Records of Percy & Halden Ltd

GB 248 UGD 260/4 Records of RMD Property Co Ltd

Location of Originals

This material is original

Bibliography

No known publications using this material