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English Electric

From Alfawiki
The English Electric Company Limited
Company typePrivate company
IndustryIndustrial manufacturing, electrical engineering, aerospace, defense, electronics
PredecessorCoventry Ordnance Works, Phoenix Dynamo Manufacturing Company, Dick, Kerr & Co., United Electric Car Company, Willans & Robinson
FoundedDecember 1918; 107 years ago (1918-12)
FounderMerged ownership of five companies (Coventry Ordnance Works, Phoenix Dynamo Manufacturing Company, Dick, Kerr & Co., United Electric Car Company, Willans & Robinson)
Defunct1968 (1968)
FateMerged with GEC
SuccessorGeneral Electric Company (GEC)
Headquarters
Stafford (after relocation from London)
,
United Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
John Pybus (Managing Director 1921; Chairman 1926), Lionel Hichens (Chairman until 1930), Sir Holberry Mensforth (Chairman 1930), George H. Nelson (Chairman and Managing Director from 1933), H G Nelson (Managing Director of D. Napier & Son)
ProductsElectric motors, transformers, locomotives, diesel engines, steam turbines, aircraft (Canberra, Lightning), guided missile systems, consumer electronics, nuclear power plants, mainframe computers
Number of employees
250,000+ (1968)

The English Electric Company Limited (EE) was a British industrial manufacturer established in the aftermath of World War I through the amalgamation of five firms that had been engaged in producing munitions, armaments, and aircraft during the conflict.

Originally concentrating on industrial electric motors, transformers, locomotives, diesel engines, and steam turbines, EE later diversified into sectors including consumer electronics, nuclear power plants, guided missile systems, military aircraft, and mainframe computer technology.

Among its most distinguished achievements were two aircraft—the Canberra and the Lightning—which became iconic examples of British aviation engineering. In 1960, English Electric Aircraft (holding 40%) joined forces with Vickers (40%) and Bristol (20%) to create the British Aircraft Corporation.

The year 1968 saw English Electric merge with GEC, forming a combined organization with a workforce exceeding 250,000 employees.

Foundation

In December 1918, to convert wartime production capabilities into peacetime industrial operations, several company owners united to establish The English Electric Company Limited.

Constituent Companies

The formation of English Electric involved acquiring ownership of:

Shareholders from these companies received stakes in the newly formed English Electric.

Intended Operations of the Merged Entities

In March 1921, John Pybus assumed the role of managing director and advanced to chairman by April 1926. Initially, leadership comprised three joint managing directors: J H Mansell (Coventry Ordnance Works), John Pybus (Phoenix Dynamo), and W Rutherford (Dick, Kerr).
The principal activities of the five core units included:

  • Coventry Ordnance Works: specialized in heavy armament manufacturing, adaptable for producing large-scale generating equipment
  • Phoenix Dynamo Works: resumed electric motor production by July 1919 following wartime shell and aircraft manufacturing
  • Dick, Kerr and United Electric Car: engaged during wartime in munitions, aircraft components, and filament lamps; prewar focus on locomotives and tramcars
  • Willans & Robinson: produced steam turbines, condensers, diesel engines; also operated foundry facilities

Together, these entities spanned the spectrum of electrical machinery from small motors up to substantial turbo-generators.

In November 1919, English Electric expanded by acquiring the Stafford factory of Siemens Brothers Dynamo Works Ltd. By 1931 this site had become English Electric's primary manufacturing center.

Although product demand remained robust, the postwar electrical generation sector suffered from limited capital investment. A reorganisation in 1922 reduced overhead expenses by half; the Coventry Ordnance Works faced near closure. While markets for cables, lamps, and wireless apparatus were expanding, English Electric concentrated primarily on heavy electrical and mechanical equipment. The general strike and miners' strike of 1926 inflicted considerable financial setbacks. By 1929, surplus assets including parts of Coventry Ordnance Works and the Preston pattern shop were sold off.

Facing shareholder capital erosion by late 1929 necessitated financial restructuring. An American consortium led by Lazard Brothers infused new funds but allowed existing shareholders to retain control.

In June 1930, four additional directors were appointed to the board.

Shortly thereafter, English Electric revealed a technical partnership with the New York-based Westinghouse Electric International Company and East Pittsburgh's Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company. This cooperation on steam turbines and electrical equipment did not entail American ownership. Westinghouse contributed supplementary capital amounting to less than 10% of total funding alongside Lazard Brothers’ investment.

George Nelson

Seven weeks afterward, chairman Lionel Hichens, who had temporarily taken over from John Pybus in 1927, retired at the close of July 1930. He was succeeded by Sir Holberry Mensforth, who assumed the positions of director and chairman. It was subsequently announced that George H. Nelson would join the board and take on the managing director role starting in October. Mensforth had formerly served as general manager at American Westinghouse Trafford Park Manchester, where Nelson had been his apprentice back in 1919. Tasked by the Minister of Transport to supervise the conversion of munitions factories to peacetime production, Mensforth facilitated a technical collaboration agreement and secured additional funding from Westinghouse. Together, Mensforth and Nelson initiated a comprehensive company reorganization.

Relocations

The company shifted its core operations from London to Stafford, relocating departments such as sales, accounts, and senior management. While the managing director divided his time between different sites, his primary base was either Stafford or London.

On 30 December 1930, the engineering facilities at Preston were shut down, with activities redistributed as follows:

  • Preston: specialists in high-voltage direct-current railway electrification, rolling stock, and trolley buses (Dick, Kerr)
  • Stafford: medium-scale electrical equipment including transformers, switchgear, and large turbo-alternators transferred from Preston (Siemens)
  • Rugby: prime movers such as steam turbines, condensing plants, Fullagar and Diesel engines, along with water turbine equipment moved from Preston (Willans & Robinson)
  • Bradford: production of small motors, control gear, and traction motor/control components relocated from Preston (Phoenix)
  • Coventry: manufacture of small tools (ceased in 1931), with zed fuse cartridge production moved to Stafford during 1931 (C.O.W.)

Radiators and cookers

In 1931, manufacturing of domestic appliances commenced at Stafford and Bradford. By 1934, the company had broadened its portfolio to include household electricity meters. A report to shareholders underscored rapid expansion in domestic electricity usage—approximately 330 new homes connected daily—and a 70% rise in Britain’s electricity generation between 1929 and 1935.

Recovery

The year 1933 signaled the onset of four years marked by substantial advancement. In July 1933, Mensforth resigned as chairman and was replaced by George Nelson, who continued as managing director. Mensforth remained on the board until his retirement in 1936.

English Electric’s resurgence gained widespread acknowledgment. By 1936, all outstanding preference dividends had been settled, enabling the payment of the first ordinary share dividend since 1924. The balance sheet for 1936 reflected solid liquidity positions, while production levels in the last quarter doubled those recorded in the initial quarter.

In 1938, the company issued its first ordinary dividend since 1924. A major advertisement that summer showcased English Electric’s worldwide footprint and diverse product lineup—including steam and water turbines, oil engines, generators, switchgear, transformers, rectifiers, electric motors, traction equipment, marine propulsion systems, and domestic appliances. The company highlighted its expertise in providing complete electrification schemes for markets both domestic and international.

Airframes

English Electric ventured into aircraft manufacturing in 1935 to support the Royal Air Force, collaborating closely with Handley Page. The chairman remarked that although Dick, Kerr and Phoenix had engaged in aircraft production during the First World War, the challenges faced at this time were unprecedented. Additionally, he pointed out an increasing market for household appliances such as cookers, washing machines, and water heaters.

During the war, the Preston facility independently produced in excess of 3,000 Handley Page Hampden and Halifax bombers.

Aero engines

In December 1942, English Electric secured ownership of the ordinary shares of D. Napier & Son Limited, appointing H G Nelson—son of chairman George H Nelson—as managing director.

Napier’s Sabre engines powered notable aircraft including the Typhoon and Tempest, while their Lion engines were installed in Motor Torpedo Boats.

Tanks, locomotives, submarines, ships, power generation

The Stafford plant manufactured thousands of Covenanter, Centaur, and Cromwell tanks, alongside precision instruments for aviation and electric propulsion systems. At Rugby, diesel engines were produced for marine vessels, submarines, and locomotives, as well as steam turbines and turbo-alternator units for power generation facilities. Bradford specialized in electric generators for ship auxiliaries and various components serving naval and aviation sectors.

Employees

By April 1945, English Electric's workforce numbered approximately 25,000 across its four principal factories; peak wartime employment reached 45,000 when including Napier staff. In 1944, C. P. Snow was appointed director of scientific personnel and held the role of physicist-director until 1964.

de Havilland Vampire

In September 1945, English Electric introduced the Vampire jet, which became Britain’s fastest plane at speeds up to 548 mph. Constructed at the Preston works, it was powered by the Goblin jet engine designed by Frank Halford and manufactured by de Havilland in London.

Trams

Between 1912 and 1924, United Electric alongside English Electric delivered second- and third-generation tramcars to Hong Kong Tramways. These vehicles were phased out by 1930 following the arrival of newer models.

Railways

In 1923, English Electric supplied EO electric locomotives for New Zealand Railways’ mountainous routes. From 1924 to 1926, nine box-cab electric locomotives were provided to Montreal’s Harbour Commissioners; these later operated under Canadian National Railways until 1995. In 1927, twenty electric motor cars were delivered for Warsaw’s suburban railway system. Throughout the 1930s, English Electric contributed equipment essential to electrifying the UK’s Southern Railway network, establishing a strong foothold in traction technology.

Diesel locomotive manufacture began at Preston in 1936. Between the late 1930s and the 1950s, EE supplied electric multiple units for Wellington’s electrified rail network in New Zealand. In 1951, articulated Diesel Electric multiple units were sent to Egyptian State Railways. From 1951 to 1959, five electric shunting locomotives weighing 51 tons each were delivered to the National Coal Board for operation on the Harton Coal Company System near South Shields.

In 1955, English Electric expanded its railway engineering capabilities by acquiring Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns—both renowned firms with rich histories in rail manufacturing.

Under the UK’s 1955 Modernisation Plan, English Electric produced close to one thousand diesel and electric locomotives spanning nine classes for British Rail. Many of these units remained operational well into the twenty-first century with British Rail and its successor organizations.

Aviation

English Electric commenced its aircraft production in Bradford in 1922, starting with the English Electric Wren, and concluded this phase in 1926 after manufacturing the English Electric Kingston flying boat. During the Second World War, the firm established a "shadow factory" at Samlesbury Aerodrome dedicated to producing Handley Page Hampden bombers, delivering 770 units by 1942—accounting for more than half of all Hampdens built. The addition of a second plant and an extended runway facilitated the manufacturing of the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber, with production exceeding 2,000 Halifaxes by the end of the conflict.

In 1942, English Electric expanded its aeronautical engineering capabilities by acquiring aero-engine manufacturer D. Napier & Son. After the war, design and experimental activities were relocated to the former RAF Warton near Preston in 1947, resulting in notable aircraft such as the English Electric Lightning and English Electric Canberra, with the latter serving various roles within the Royal Air Force until 2006.

Post-war production included over 1,300 licensed de Havilland Vampire jets at Samlesbury. Under chief designer W. E. W. Petter, formerly associated with Westland Aircraft, English Electric developed two original aircraft models prior to merging into British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). Established as English Electric Aviation Ltd. in 1958, this division became a founding partner of BAC in 1960, with English Electric holding a 40% share; its guided weapons segment was incorporated into BAC in 1963.

Industrial Electronics

The Industrial Electronics Division, located in Stafford, created products such as the Igniscope, an advanced ignition tester for petrol engines originally developed by Napiers. Initially produced as Type UED for military applications during World War II, it was subsequently offered commercially under the designation Type ZWA.

Mergers, acquisitions and demise

In 1946, English Electric expanded into consumer electronics by acquiring the Marconi Company. The company made an attempt to acquire General Electric Company (GEC) in 1960. In 1963, a joint venture with J. Lyons and Co. led to the formation of English Electric LEO Company, tasked with manufacturing the LEO computer, originally developed by Lyons.

English Electric took full control of Lyons' shareholding in 1964 and combined it with Marconi’s computing interests to create English Electric Leo Marconi (English Electric LM). This entity merged with Elliott Automation and International Computers and Tabulators (ICT) in 1967, forming International Computers Limited (ICL). Following GEC’s merger with Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) in 1968, it merged with English Electric; GEC became the dominant entity and phased out the English Electric brand.

Electrical machinery

Comprehensive electrification projects undertaken included:

Steam turbine installations powered facilities such as:

Water turbines were supplied for:

Additional electrical equipment encompassed oil engines and generators for power stations like Ultimo, Tallawarra, Monowai, and White Bay, alongside switchgear, transformers, and rectifiers installed at locations such as Drax power station, HVDC Kingsnorth, and the Nelson River DC Transmission System. Electric motors powered vessels including the British Porpoise-class submarine.

Electric and diesel-electric traction systems were featured on networks such as the Blackpool tramway, utilizing the English Electric Balloon tram, as well as New Zealand Railways.

Marine propulsion solutions served submarines like the Oberon-class, ships including HMAS Oxley (S 57) and HMAS Orion, along with cargo vessels such as the GMV Aranui.

The company also manufactured household appliances.

Military hardware

Among the aircraft designed by English Electric were:

  • Initial versions: P.5 Phoenix "Cork" (1918), Wren (1923), Ayr (1923), Kingston (1924)
  • Jet-powered planes: Canberra (1949), Lightning prototype P1A, operational Lightning (1954)
  • Proposed but never constructed: P.10 supersonic bomber

In the realm of guided weaponry, English Electric manufactured the Thunderbird surface-to-air missile (1959) and worked on the now-abandoned Blue Water short-range ballistic missile project.

Armoured vehicle production included the A13 Covenanter tank and the A33 Excelsior tank.

The company also played a role in crewed space exploration initiatives such as MUSTARD.

See also

Computing

Rail transport and traction

Engines

  • English Electric 6CSRKT diesel engine
  • English Electric 6SRKT diesel engine
  • English Electric 8SVT 1000 hp engine (utilized in Class 20)
  • English Electric 8CSV 1050 hp engine (commonly applied for power generation)
  • English Electric 12SVT 1470 hp engine (retrofitted into Class 31)
  • English Electric 12CSVT 1750 hp engine (installed in Class 37)
  • English Electric 12CSV engine
  • English Electric 16SVT 2000 hp engine (Mk II variant used in Class 40)
  • English Electric 16CSVT 2700 hp engine (equipped in Class 50)
  • The Ruston Paxman 16RK3CT, delivering 3250 hp for Class 56 locomotives, was an enhanced version of the Class 50’s 16CSVT engine.
  • Napier Deltic engines, produced by D. Napier and Son, an English Electric subsidiary since 1942

Locomotives and multiple units

International models included Portuguese CP Classes: CP Class 1400 and CP Class 1800; Japanese National Railways’ ED17 electric locomotive and EF50 electric locomotive; Keretapi Tanah Melayu Classes such as the Class 15 shunter and Classes 20 and 22; Murray River Western Australia G class; Nigerian Class 1001; Northern Ireland NIR 1 Class; Dutch NS Classes NS 500 and NS 600; New Zealand classes DE, DF, DG, DH, DI, DM/D electric multiple units, EC, ED (one unit plus components for nine more), E (1922), EO, EW; Polish PKP Classes EU06 and EN80 electric multiple units; Queensland Railways classes 1200, 1250, 1270, 1300, 2350, 2370; Rhodesia Railways classes DE2 and DE3; Tasmanian Government Railways classes X, Y (parts supplied for local manufacture), Z, Za; Victorian Railways L class (electric) and F class (diesel); Western Australian Government Railways classes C, H, K, R; Goldsworthy railway classes 1 and 3.

Additionally, numerous industrial diesel and electric locomotives were manufactured for both domestic UK use and export markets.

External links

  • English Electric Traction promotional materials and corporate literature
  • Photographic collection of English Electric locomotives
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