Haulage Opportunities
Page 59
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Bright Prospects for .Heavy Industries. Bigger Coal Demand Likely. Distributive Trades in Better Position
ANimportant item of news, this week, and one which has a hearing on future prospects in the heavier industries, is the considerable proposed expenditure of the railway companies. As an example, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. is to spend £9,300,000 in 1935.
It is also of interest to note how increased business in the heavy industries reacts upon other trades and thus increases the demand for haulage over a considerable area. Current reports from Newcastle and the North-east Coast generally, where, at long last, shipbuilding and ship-repairing are on the mend, show that one result has been considerably increased activity in the building trade. This, again, has affected the timber trade, and it is stated that the prospects of timber sales in that area are brighter than they have been for some years past.
Orders for new ships continue to come in, and in this connection II. Robb, Ltd., Leith, Messrs. Denny and Bros., Dumbarton, Burntisland Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Bumtisland, and Cochran and Co. (Annan), Ltd., may be mentioned.
Iron and steel producers have good order books, and it is believed that the existing state of prosperity is likely to continue. The home markets are paxticularly bright. The general engineering trade is becoming more active and the machine-tool makers are getting busier.
It is worthy of note, too, that the 19:34 record output of steel from Sheffield occurred in spite of the fact that the producers received comparatively small orders from shipbuilders and business from overseas was scarce. As both these departments are now improving, it appears that the /934 record may be eclipsed in 1935.
Steel and Tinplates.
The demand for black sheets is good, especially for the heavy gauges. Business in galvanized sheets is still quiet. The activity in the tinplate industry is fair and offers good prospects of regular deliveries.
Coal.
As these notes are written, there is snow upon the ground, and this will mean a rush of orders for domestic coal, as well as increased consumption by the gas and electric-light companies.
Cotton and Wool.
In the cotton industry the outstanding feature is the increasing revival in Indian trade. The home market offers possibilities in the way of haulage, because there is a probability that wholesalers and retailers will experience a shortage in many lines.
A new factory, Lower Heys Mill, is to be opened in the Macclesfield area for silk manufacture. Rayon sales, at the moment, are breaking all records. Woollen manufacturers are experiencing many repeat orders. The heavy woollen trade is good, especially with the home markets. Bradford manufacturers are well supplied with orders for spring goods and are of opinion that prospects are good.
rimber and Building.
Wet weather is holding up some branches of the building trade, but builders are concentrating on indoor work, which means that the demand has veered from plain timber to doors, window frames and indoor fittings. This report applies fairly generally throughout the country.
Amongst large works contemplated are the following r—The erection of 172 houses at Alloa (50,000); 200 at Barnsley.; 200 in Belfast ; 508 in Burnley ; 150 at Chester-le-Street; 176 at Coatbridge; 324 at Coulsdon and Purley; 104 in Dundee; 124 in Glasgow ; 865 in Ilford ; 482 at Middlesbrough, and 300 at Walsall.
Barnsley proposes to spend £36,500 on the erection of a swimming pool, etc., and West Ham is to have a swimming pool to cost £25,000. Road work at Blackpool is to cost £33,000. South Shields T.C. has been asked to approve, in principle, a scheme for the provision, jointly with Sunderland, Middleshrougb, Gateshe-ad, Darlington and West Hartlepool, of further sanitoria accommodation at an approximate cost of £138,500.
Amongst contracts actually placed are the following :—The erection of 280 houses and fiats, etc., on the Dewsbury Road Housing estate, for Leeds T.C., by Woolley Construction Co., Ltd., Leeds. Sixty houses are to be built on the Washdyke Lane estate, Hucknall, Notts, for the council. Mr. W. Higley, Port Hill, Shrewsbury, has secured the contract for the senior school, to he built at Sedgley for Staffs. E.C.
Boots and Shoes: Leather.
The wet weather is helping the shoe trade. Several factories in Northampton are under pressure for delivery. Leeds makers are busy. Leicester shoe factories are in a healthier state than they were a year ago, and business is well up to the average. The Bristol boot, and, shoe trade has many urgent demands for prompt deliveries of small parcels. Most firms in Norwich are well placed, one having an order for 1,000,000 pairs.
The recent improvement in the leather trade continues. The call on all sides for prompt deliveries. This condition applies, both in the Lancashire and Cheshire areas, and in Ber mondsey. Better-class goods are in greater demand and a wider range of tannage is being dealt in.
Drapery and Clothing.
The state of general trade in Glasgow again confirms the wisdom of taking the situation in the heavy industries as a guide to probable activities in other trades. The revival of the shipbuilding industry has helped Glasgow shopkeepers, whilst business by drapers and clothiers, boot and shoe vendors, and the distributive trades generally, is brighter there than it has been for some time.
London Docks.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties 'named, from January 18-26 inclusive.—Docks; King, George V. 7; Royal Albert, 11; Royal' Victoria, 3; Surrey Commercial, 5; West India, 2; East India, 3; South West India, 3; Tilbary, S; Tilbury Stage, 3; Milhvall,
; London, 5. Wharves : Hays, 4, Middleton's, 1; Mark Brown's, 1. Tilbury Jetty, 4.