Group History
To trace the history of Clayton & Co (Penistone) Limited we must start by looking back to the times of Herbert Fitzroy Clayton (HFC) who was born in Huddersfield in 1857. From humble beginnings working in his uncle’s Felt Mill at Mold Green, HFC studied chemistry and went on to found several companies including Karrier Motors based in Huddersfield. By the early 1900s Karriers offered a range of heavy vehicles from buses to lorries and had depots throughout the UK and overseas in Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Christchurch, Cape Town, Bombay, Buenos Aires, Hesingfors, Leiben and Athens.
The main Karriers works was staffed by over 1,000 people manufacturing all the major components. The works were fully equipped with state of the art machine tools (all belt driven) and had the benefit of an in-house foundry and forge shop.
There were several spin-offs from the main works, one of which was the design and manufacture of the “certainty” range of warning signals (generally known as fog signals) – a stand alone audible warning device employing black powder, and used within the railway industry. The signal is placed on a railway line and held in place by two lead clips. A train traveling along the line will crush the signal igniting the internal percussion cap causing a loud “bang”. Initially the manufacturing took place within the Karrier works, however with the works being located in the heart of the large town of Huddersfield, concern was expressed as the process required having large stocks of black powder. It was therefore decided to form a subsidiary company and to relocate out of town. A site was found in Penistone and so in 1895 Clayton & Co (Penistone) Limited was formed.
Production of the signals commenced at Penistone along with bird warning devices. A further semi-auto range of signals were introduced which allowed remote insertion onto the line, normally near signal boxes, and deployed when thick fog blanked out the arm signal (illuminated by gas or oil lamps). The mechanical apparatus required to install the signal was also designed and
built at Penistone.
built at Penistone.
Having developed an electric trolley bus in 1933, Karrier Motors was sold to the Rootes Group (then the Singer/Humber/Hillman group now part of General Motors) excluding Clayton & Co (Penistone) Limited which remained in the hands of the Clayton family.
During the war years, Claytons turned its production over to ammunitions, for which it received a commendation from Lord Melchett in May 1943 on the behalf of the Ministry of Supply. The commendation states that during the whole production period, not one item of manufacture had been rejected.
The next major step was in 1952 when the company purchased the land housing its factory at Penistone, followed by the construction of the Penistone bypass (now the A629) which gave improved access to the works.
With very little change the company has continued to manufacture the warning device, which today plays an integral part in the safety of personnel working and traveling on the railways.
In 1988, under new management, the company diversified its activities to include valve actuator supply and servicing, and later the following year into small mechanical and electrical schemes primarily for the water industry. This later developed into larger schemes as the company’s expertise grew. The control panel building section was developed to satisfy the company’s own internal needs but today supplies to external markets too. In 2000, under specialist and experienced management, water filter refurbishment was added to the company’s portfolio of services.
In 2004, two new wholly owned subsidiary companies were formed, to allow the company to develop without compromising its high quality reputation; Clayton Project Engineering Limited (MD Christopher Bramall) and Clayton M&E Services Limited (MD Alan Graham). Both Chris and Alan are also board members of the holding company Clayton & Co (Penistone) Limited.
Today the company’s services encompass many facets associated with control, instrumentation, pipework, valves and actuation, offering totally independent advice on a whole range of products and services. Its dynamic and dedicated team of engineers are available to help at all stages throughout a project and will be pleased to meet with you to discuss your requirements.
We aim to provide a “one stop shop” for all your electrical and mechanical related needs from the supply, installation and commissioning of equipment right through to maintenance contracts that deliver a prompt repair response and a timely routine maintenance regime.
Although we employ all the latest technology to deliver our first class service, our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is engrained in our history and is of paramount importance.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our company, a company of which we are very proud.
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Footnotes
HFC met his wife Ria but her father strongly disapproved of the relationship and so they eloped, using a ladder up to the bedroom window.
Whilst courting Ria (in secret), HFC used to walk from Wakefield, a round trip of over twenty miles, four times a week.
HFC and Ria had four children. Sadly Ria died in 1912, but HFC visited her grave every Sunday.
There are still several Karrier buses held in a private collection in Huddersfield (visits can be arranged).
HFC’s mother was Sarah Bentley and his cousin was the author Phyllis Bentley.
Today the Board of Directors consist of five Directors, one of whom is Adrian Clayton, Herbert Fitzroy Clayton’s great grandson.