Babcock & Wilcox Ltd

Notes:

Had its origins in the USA where established in 1867 by George Babcock and Stephen Wilcox to developed in particular their 'safety water tube boiler' which they patented in Britain in 1873. Incorporated in New York in 1881 as Babcock & Wilcox Co in which directors of the Singer Manufacturing Co were significant shareholders. That company already had an important presence in Scotland and in early 1880s B&W established a sales office and manufacturing plant there. 1884 London office opened. The British business of Babcock & Wilcox Ltd was established in 1891 with rights to sell Babcock products outside USA and its dependencies. c1896 opened works at Renfrew. Emerged as leading boiler manufacturer for wide range of functions, especially ships and electricity power stations. 1900 reconstructed when part of capital publicly issued. Developed other activities and emerged as a widely based engineering group involved in fabrication, instrumentation, process plant, handling equipment, etc. 1975 terminated agreements with the US business. 1979 renamed Babcock International Ltd and as Babcock International Plc in 1982. 1987 merged with FKI Electricals Plc and in 1989 demerged as Babcock International Group Plc. Continues in 2010 as a leading support services provider for engineering and related functions, notably for the UK Ministry of Defence