Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Dorman & Smith Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Raworth, John
  • Dorman, Charles
  • Smith, Reginald
  • Dorman & Smith (1937) Ltd
  • Dorman Smith Holdings Ltd
  • Atherton, Thomas
  • Tyco Electronics UK Ltd

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • Preston, Lancashire, Lancashire, North West, England
  • Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, North West, England

Sectors:

  • Construction Building services installation inc electricity, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, etc
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Electrical & non electrical lighting & heating equipment production
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Electricity control, distribution, etc, equipment production

Notes:

Traced origins to John Raworth of Manchester who set up in 1878 as agent of Siemens Brothers for the installation of electric lighting in Lancashire and Yorkshire. 1886 business acquired by Charles Dorman and Reginald Smith but in 1890s gave up installation for manufacture of switchgear and other electrical equipment which came to include circuit breakers, lighting, plugs, etc. Incorporated 1914 as Dorman & Smith Ltd. Reconstructed 1937 as Dorman & Smith (1937) Ltd under Thomas Atherton. Floated 1948 as Dorman Smith Holdings Ltd. Moved business from Salford to Preston in late 1950s. 2000 acquired by Tyco Electronics UK Ltd. Subsequently divested and continuing in 2020

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