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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Engineering |
| Founded | 1864 |
| Founder | William Clarke |
| Headquarters | Gateshead,Tyne and Wear,North East,England,UK |
| Parent | Langley Holdings |
| Website | www.clarkechapman.co.uk |
Clarke Chapman is a British engineering firm based inGateshead, which was formerly listed on theLondon Stock Exchange.
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The company was founded in 1864 inGateshead byWilliam Clarke (1831–1890).[1] In 1865 Clarke took in a partner, Abel Chapman,[1] and the two of them developed the business into one of the largest manufacturers of cranes and other mechanical handling equipment in the world. In 1870 two further partners joined the firm, Joseph Watson and Joseph Gurney.[2] The firm became known as Clarke, Chapman and Gurney. Joseph Gurney retired from the firm in 1882.[3] The firm subsequently formed a partnership with John Furneaux and Charles Parsons, and became known as Clarke, Chapman, Parsons, and Company. Parsons left the firm in 1889.[4]
By 1907 the firm manufactured an extensive range of ship's auxiliary machinery, mining plant, water tube boilers, and pumps.[5] Clarke Chapman became the main supplier of auxiliary equipment to the British shipbuilding industry before the First World War.[6]
James Woodeson became chairman in 1949 and remained in that role for the next 28 years.[7]
In 1969 Clarke Chapman acquiredSir William Arrol & Co., a leading bridge-builder.[8]
In 1970 Clarke Chapman acquiredJohn Thompson, a leading boiler making business based inWolverhampton.[9]
In 1974 Clarke Chapman acquired theUK interests ofInternational Combustion, a diverse group of heavy engineering businesses.[10]
The company merged withReyrolle Parsons in 1977 to formNorthern Engineering Industries plc[8] which itself was acquired byRolls-Royce plc in 1989.[8]
The business continues today as part of Langley Holdings Limited which acquired it fromRolls-Royce in 2000.[11]
Ships using Clarke Chapman mechanical handling equipment include theRFAWave Knight and theRFAWave Ruler completed in 2000 and 2001 respectively.[12]
The company trades under the names of Cowans Sheldon (railway cranes), RB Cranes (construction cranes),Stothert & Pitt (port cranes) and Wellman Booth (steel plant cranes).[13]
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