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The
Pottery Gazette (August 1, 1906)
"Swinnertons,
Vulcan Works, Hanley, have appointed Mr. H. Field their London agent, and are
now showing their samples at his rooms, 106, Hatton-garden, E.C. They have the
exclusive distributing agency for the United kingdom of the production of J
& G Meakin, Ltd, Hanley and among the samples of that firm's goods
Swinnerton's have a large number of novelties in toilet services. One of the
newest is the "Cairo" shape, a very attractive embossed design. It
is shown in a number of shaded decorations of an up-to-date character. Mr.
Field, their London representative, for many years represented Blizard &
Isaacs, who have retired from business. Many
of the shapes and patterns used by Blizard & Isaacs are now supplied by
Swinnerton's and samples of them are on show at Mr. Field's rooms."
The
Pottery Gazette (November 2, 1908)
"Swinnertons, Vulcan Works, Hanley, have their London rooms at 106,
Hatton-garden, and are represented by Mr. H. Field. They have a large
assortment of samples, toilet ware being their strongest line. They have
shapes and decorations to suit all tastes in good medium class sets. The new
shapes and decorations are full of variety, and are in accordance with modern
taste. The "Assella" shape has a useful and graceful ewer and an
oval basin with end tips as handles. The "Gem" shape is one of the
most popular styles; as a well-modelled, graceful jug and deep round basin,
without embossments. The plain surface invites a large variety of printed
patterns. There are many pretty printed floral designs on this "Gem"
shape…….. The "Radio" toilet shape is a new and pleasing
production both as to shape and decoration. The company show some pretty lines
in dinner ware, of which the "Pembroke" in one of the best. The
vegetable dishes are oval in shape, and have many neat printed decorations in
flown blue and canton. The "Empire" dinner ware is shown in various
patterns printed and enamelled. The selection of tea ware is a good one in
which there are many pleasing shapes in inexpensive printed decorations and
gilt. The tea ware is very light, and is nicely modelled. The company have
export goods suitable for all markets, and have many special shapes and
decorations for the export trade. They keep very heavy stocks and are prepared
to give smart delivery. They supply mixed crates, containing toilet ware and
dinner ware, tea ware, and jugs assorted to suit customers."
The
Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review (1919)
"Swinnertons,
Ltd., Hanley, have made quite remarkable strides in a forward direction since
it was my pleasure to last wait upon them some two or three years ago, and
this in spite of the fact that "there has been a war on." Whereas,
at that time, they only had one factory the "Vulcan" Works - now
they are operating no less than three. This enables them to concentrate at the
different factories on special lines, and so avoid many of the troubles that
are inseparable from multiplicity and diversity of one's productions. At the
Vulcan Works they are now able to specialise on toilet ware, trinket ware,
dinner ware, and suite ware; at their "Washington" Works they are
laying themselves out on the Continental plan of specialisation for the
efficient and economical production of teas and saucers and plates merely,
which the market is demanding in heavy quantities; and their latest
acquisition is in the shape of a teapot factory, at which in future they will
make their own Samian Jet, Rockingham and other teapots. As showing the
enterprise of the firm, they have also secured land adjoining for further
developments in the near future. The three factories are all moderately
adjacent, having, so to speak, "Victoria Place." Shelton, as their
hub. But apart from these developments, which in themselves interest me
greatly, I was pleased to notice the advance which has been made during a
state of war in the company's designs. They have a most entertaining selection
of goods for the ordinary practical dealer in utilitarian and ornamental
wares, and are showing many really good effects are extremely moderate prices.
"
The
Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review (June 1 1921)
"Swinnertons,
Ltd., Vulcan Pottery,
Slippery-la. Hanley… are now showing a better range than ever
before…."
The
Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review (April 2 1923)
"Swinnertons,
Ltd., Vulcan & Washington
Potteries, Hanley are a firm
whose main policy for many years has been to provide domestic potter, in
certain specialised branches, suitable for the requirements of the middle
classes…."
The
Pottery Gazette and Glass Record (August 1931)
"AROUND
THE LONDON SHOWROOMS
There are some remarkably fine colour effects in the controlled litho patterns
on the latest earthenware from Messrs. Swinnertons, Ltd., which Mr. H. Field is displaying at his showrooms, 16, Hatton
Garden, E.C.1…….
…Among
the teapots from the factory allied with Messrs. Swinnertons, that of Messrs.
Alcock, Lindley and Bloore, Mr Field is showing a lock-lid pot with a new
style of decoration called Rembrant….."
Pottery
and Glass (December 1953)
"EARTHENWARE
WITH A REPUTATION - 40 years of growth
Tableware
of moderate price with pleasing patterns and a sound body has always been the
aim of Swinnertons of Hanley. Their earthenware is thin, light and fine, and
has typically a dark or light ivory body. To achieve this, the ingredients
have to be well balanced and every process completely controlled. The potter's
mill that had been used by the firm for some time was recently considered out
of date economically, and not up to producing the quality required, so they
purchased a 40-acre site outside Hanley on which a new mill has been built,
the rest of the ground being earmarked for new developments later on.
If
you can't buy it, make it
The company now controls a group of factories but its beginnings were
in a factoring business started by the late Mr. B.J. Swinnerton at Burton
place, Hanley, and its progress has been typical of the cohesion in business
affairs which is the strength of the potteries. Finding he could not be sure
of a continuous supply, he decided to buy a manufacturing plant and in 1911 he
joined with the late Mr. W. Lindley, a practical potter of wide experience, in
taking over a business at the Old Chelsea Works.
As
this factory could only produce hollow-ware, the first extension, the
forerunner of many others, was a biscuit intermittent oven, a range of
potters' shops capable of producing a full line of dinner and tea ware, and a
block of warehouses. On the death of Mr. Swinnerton, Mr. V.G.H. Alcock joined
the firm, becoming its chairman.
Money
in teapots - but no lead
During
the first world war, the late Mr. W. Bloore joined the firm and another
factory, the Washington Pottery, since sold, was acquired.
When a teapot manufacturing
business came on the market, the three partners, Messrs. Alcock, Lindley and
Bloore, decided to buy it, and so a new company was born. At this factory
Rockingham glaze, which passed the low solubility test, was first introduced
and is now used throughout the trade with a consequent elimination of lead
poisoning, which up to that time had been very prevalent.
In 1925, as business was
growing, the Victoria Pottery was purchased, followed soon after by the
purchase of the Scotia Pottery at Burslem, in the meantime, the teapot
business had developed and a further teapot factory was added to the group.
Realizing the trend of events,
the directors, now joined by Mr. R.B. Bloore and Mr. W.S. Lindley, decided to
build a new factory for the exclusive manufacture of Samian and Rockingham
teapots. This single-storey factory embodied tunnel oven firing, mangle driers
heated by waste hot air and with a labour-saving layout, with the emphasis on
flow production.
In 1938 a start was made
to rebuild the Vulcan Pottery, but it was interrupted by the second world war,
and the scheme was finally completed last August, when the latest type of
steam raising plant was installed. The boiler is of the economical,
fully-automatic type. Emphasis was again laid on flow production in designing
this factory and of course all the latest types of labour-saving machinery,
some of which are the patent of Swinnertons', were installed. Tunnel ovens
were included and open firing with a naked flame of city gas for both biscuit
and glost was introduced to the trade of this country. During the whole of
this rebuilding, not a single hour's work was lost by any operative.
In 1952 the latest
acquisition of the group, the old-established business of Davidson & Son
Ltd., was purchased. This factory has been completely brought up to date and
has been given tunnel oven firing.
Pattern
for Success
The control of these many factories is in the hands of the directors
and of the works directors, Mr A.J. Lewis and Mr. H.C. Rogers, while the large
sales organisation has been taken over by Mr. R.D. Bloore, from Mr. C.T.
Parkes, whom illness has caused to retire to a consultative capacity…….
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