In 1986, Vickers acquired the armaments manufacturer Royal Ordnance Factory, Leeds, which became Vickers Defence Systems. The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act also led to the nationalisation of Vickers’ shipbuilding division as part of British Shipbuilders. In 1960, the aircraft interests were merged with those of the Bristol, English Electric and Hunting Aircraft to form the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC).
Their commitment to science and innovation is driven by their internal expertise combined with strategic acquisitions, offering a comprehensive set of products, services, and support to their customers. This yard later passed into the hands of the nationalised British Shipbuilders in 1977, was privatised as Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd in 1986 and remains in operation to this day as BAE Systems Submarine Solutions. Vickers formed Vickers Ltd (Aviation Department) 1911 and produced one of the first aircraft designed to carry a machine gun, the FB5 (fighting biplane) Gun Bus. They later took over the company and improved the design as the Vickers machine gun, which was the last major design Hiram Maxim himself worked on. In 1911, the company name was changed to Vickers Limited and expanded its operations into aircraft manufacture by the formation of Vickers Ltd (Aviation Department).

Proven, trusted products

In the interwar period Vickers worked on several tank designs. The company was also involved in the manufacture of 6,000–10,000 (6181 is often quoted) Luger pistols in 1922–24. The British tested John Pedersen’s design for a semi-automatic rifle between World War I and World War II. This merger was to take effect on 1 January 1928 and would give Vickers shareholders ownership of two-thirds of the new company. In 1919, the British Westinghouse electrical company was taken over as the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company, its name often shortened to Metrovick. Vickers brand aircraft were produced from 1911 to 1965, when BAC ended use of the name.

Merger with Armstrong Whitworth

With these acquisitions, Vickers could now produce a complete selection of products, from ships and marine fittings to armour plate and a suite of ordnance. The business began in Sheffield in 1828 as a steel foundry and became known for its church bells, going on to make shafts and propellers for ships, armour plate and then artillery. These outstanding drivetrain products are widely used across many industries, including mining, marine, paper, metalworking, oil and gas, can manufacturing, laundry, logging, roll form and grinding. Vickers by Danfoss industrial valves give you their best day in, day out, in both stationary and mobile hydraulic applications. Today, Vickers by Danfoss offers a comprehensive portfolio of field-proven industrial power and motion control components and systems, engineered to perform reliably even under the most extreme conditions. With decades of experience, a global network of experts, and a comprehensive line of proven products, we’re committed to solving the toughest power challenges across the spectrum of industrial applications.
Vickers entered naval shipbuilding with the purchase of Barrow Shipbuilding Company in 1897, forming the Naval Construction Yard at Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Vickers brand aircraft were produced from 1911 to 1965, when BAC ended the name. Barnes Wallis and Nevil Shute Norway were on the design team. Further designs and difficulties followed, although non-rigid machines including “Sea Scouts” (popularly called blimps) proved generally less troublesome than the larger rigid examples. During the Second World War, Vickers built large guns and tanks; the Valentine tank was a design that they had developed privately. The Vickers A1E1 Independent tank design was never put into production but credited with influencing other nations.

Over 50 years experience

In 1999 Reumech, owner of OMC, the South African defence company was purchased and renamed as Vickers OMC. These interests were primarily centred on land warfare products and brought the Challenger 1 tank into Vickers’ portfolio. In 1990, the Cosworth automotive engineering group was purchased. In September 2004, BAE announced the creation of BAE Systems Land Systems, a new company bringing together the BAE subsidiaries, RO Defence and Alvis Vickers, which saw the end of the Vickers name after 176 years. Within three months BAE Systems, which already held a 29% stake, bid £355m for the company; this was seen as a defence of the home market from a foreign rival. In 2004, the board of the parent group Alvis approved a £309m takeover bid by the American defence company General Dynamics.

Industrial Valves

  • Vickers®, one of the most experienced and respected names in hydraulics, became part of Eaton in 1999.
  • When your application needs rotary power, they have a hydraulic motor to do the job.
  • In 1854 Vickers’ sons Thomas and Albert joined the business.
  • It began by making steel castings and quickly became famous for casting church bells.
  • I’ve always really enjoyed helping people, going the extra mile and giving the best customer service I can give, ensuring efficiency and professionalism in everything I do, and always with a smile.
  • They were also supplying steel forgings for gun barrel manufacturers, including their future main competitor Armstrong, as early as 1870.
  • The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act also led to the nationalisation of Vickers’ shipbuilding division as part of British Shipbuilders.

During the 1980s the company acquired businesses in the automotive engineering sector (principally Rolls-Royce Motors), the defence sector (principally Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds) and the marine engineering sector (principally Kamewa and Ulstein). The company was created in 1977 from the rump of Vickers-Armstrongs following the nationalisation of its aviation, shipbuilding and steel businesses. Rolls-Royce plc purchased Vickers plc for £576 million in 1999 for its marine engineering businesses.In 2002, Vickers Defence Systems was purchased by Alvis plc to form the subsidiary Alvis Vickers. With innovations spanning from alternative energy and civil engineering to manufacturing and marine, we’re one of the world’s most trusted industrial hydraulic solution partners. The company went public in 1867, acquired more businesses, and began branching out into military hardware and shipbuilding.

  • Together with Calibre Scientific, we are committed to driving innovation and continuing to deliver our excellent service and adaptability.
  • Vickers®, one of the most experienced and respected names in hydraulics, became part of Danfoss in 2021.
  • Vickers was formed in Sheffield as a steel foundry by the miller Edward Vickers and his father-in-law George Naylor in 1828.
  • Their commitment to science and innovation is driven by their internal expertise combined with strategic acquisitions, offering a comprehensive set of products, services, and support to their customers.
  • Built with quality components under stringent manufacturing standards, Danfoss hydraulic power units ensure efficient, reliable, cost-effective operation and maximum productivity.
  • Vickers brand aircraft were produced from 1911 to 1965, when BAC ended use of the name.

Their directional valves offer the ultimate in compactness and versatility of application for many directional control requirements f hydraulic machinery. Exclusive hydrocushion design reduces pressure shocks from the system. There are many design series, enabling you to pick the best pump for the job. Your choice of pump is backed by Vickers know how, assuring that you get the exact pump needed for the job. They globally market as a complete line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic components through the most extensive distributor network in the fluid power industry. In 1927, Vickers merged with the Tyneside-based engineering firm Armstrong Whitworth to form Vickers-Armstrongs.
1.6 Fifth change of the companyAfter the Second World War Vickers-Armstrongs manufactured commercial aircraft. In 1929, the acquired railway business was merged with that of Cammell Laird to form Metropolitan Cammell Carriage & Wagon. With their steelworking operations also nationalised into British Steel Corporation the remnants of Vickers became Vickers plc. The Supermarine operation was closed in https://www.betvickers.uk/ 1963 and the Vickers name for aircraft was dropped in 1965.

Industrial pumps

In 1854 Vickers’ sons Thomas (a militia officer known familiarly as ‘Colonel Tom’) and Albert la joined the business and their considerable talents – Tom Vickers as a metallurgist and Albert as a team-builder and salesman – were key to its subsequent rapid development. It began by making steel castings and quickly became famous for casting church bells. Edward’s investments in the railway industry allowed him to gain control of the company, based at Millsands and known as Naylor Vickers and Company. Naylor was a partner in the foundry Naylor & Sanderson and Vickers’ brother William owned a steel rolling operation.
Vickers also pioneered the industry’s first fluid analysis service, a tradition proudly continued by the Eaton Fluid Analysis Laboratory. Vickers®, one of the most experienced and respected names in hydraulics, became part of Eaton in 1999. I am passionate about giving great service and I believe that I am very efficient, conscientious and reliable.
In 1986, it purchased Kamewa, a Swedish manufacturer of waterjets, followed in 1998 by Ulstein (Norway), a major marine propulsion and engineering company. In 1927, Vickers agreed to merge their armaments and shipbuilding and heavy engineering activities with the Tyneside-based engineering company Armstrong Whitworth, founded by W. From closed-circuit to open-circuit systems and fixed displacement vane pumps, our expansive range of industrial pumps provide the performance, durability and flexibility your hydraulic application needs. Industrial applications require industrial-strength hydraulic systems—like those built with Danfoss piston pumps.
Vickers was formed in Sheffield as a steel foundry by Edward Vickers and his father-in-law George Naylor in 1828. The Vickers name lived on in Alvis Vickers, until the latter was acquired by BAE Systems in 2004 to form BAE Systems Land Systems. It was formed in Sheffield as a steel foundry by Edward Vickers and his father-in-law, and soon became famous for casting church bells.

About Vickers Hydraulics and Products

Beginning in the 1960s, various parts of the company were nationalised, and in 1999 the rest of the company was acquired by Rolls-Royce plc, which sold the defence arm to Alvis plc. The team at Vickers Laboratories understands that every business is different and that’s why we offer total flexibility in our service to you. The 20% share was eventually acquired from receivership by Vickers and GEC (EE’s parent company). It was purchased by Rolls-Royce plc in 1999, and the Vickers company name became defunct in 2003 as Rolls renamed the company Vinters Engineering.
In 1911 a controlling interest was acquired in Whitehead & Company, a torpedo manufacturer based in Fiume, Croatia and at Portland Harbour, Dorset. The new business was incorporated and named The Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Company and works were purchased at Adderley Park, Birmingham. In 1902 Vickers took a half share in the Clyde shipyard John Brown & Company.