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A History of GKN

Volume 2 The Growth of a Business, 1918–45

  • Book
  • © 1990

Overview

Authors:
  1. Edgar Jones
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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxxvii
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  2. Steel and Coal in South Wales, 1919–39

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. GKN and the Post-War Boom, Merger and Acquisitions, 1919–23

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 3-12

    3. John Lysaght Ltd

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 13-71

    4. Coal: Rise and Fall, 1919–35

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 73-111

    5. Steel and GKN, 1919–39

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 113-163

  3. Engineering in the Midlands, 1918–45

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 165-165
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    2. Nettlefolds and the Woodscrew Trade, 1918–39

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 167-205

    3. Fasteners and Forgings, 1918–45

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 207-233

    4. Joseph Sankey & Sons

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 235-237

    5. The Management and Organisation of GKN

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 275-300

    6. GKN at War, 1939–45

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 301-318

  4. GKN Oversm to 1945

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 319-319
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    2. John Lysaght (Australia) Pty, 1919–45

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 321-343

    3. Guest, Keen, Williams in India

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 345-365

    4. Conclusions and Perspective

      • Edgar Jones
      Pages 367-374

  5. Back Matter

    Pages 375-389
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Keywords

About this book

This history of GKN (formerly Guest, Keen & Nettlefolds) shows the dramatic changes which occurred to the group in the 25 years following the end of the first world war. It describes the merger with the steelmakers, John Lysaght, the development by acquisition of its fastener interests and the extension of the business into Australia and India. With the rise of H.Seymour Berry, Lord Buckland and Sir David Llewellyn to the highest ranks of its management, a new strategy for growth was implemented: the takeover of major collieries in South Wales and associated sales and marketing companies. Undertaken in the harsh competitive twenties, the plan foundered on the slump. The thirties saw GKN divest itself of its coal and heavy steel interests to bring the focus back to light engineering in the Midlands. A return to sound profits was interrupted by the Second World War which caused disruption as the group was called upon to manufacture munitions and machinery demanded by the armed forces. Using internal company records, this business history reveals strategic policy decisions, demonstrates the sources of income and assesses the strengths of the management and contribution of the workforce.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: A History of GKN

  • Book Subtitle: Volume 2 The Growth of a Business, 1918–45

  • Authors: Edgar Jones

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09664-0

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History Collection, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: GKN plc 1990

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-349-09664-0Published: 19 November 1990

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XXXVII, 389

  • Number of Illustrations: 124 b/w illustrations, 8 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Operations Management, Social History, Industries

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