WHERE To FIND HAULAGE
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BUSINESS
A Feature Which Hauliers will Find Helpful in Estimating and Anticipating Chances for Obtaining Contracts
T" • Sino-Japanese conflict cannot fail to have a depressing effect on some British trades. In Lancashire, in particular, the prospects of increasing sales to China were exceedingly good, but the immediate outcome of the present state of affairs will be to delay the expected revival of the Lancashire cotton industry.
The brake on municipal building operations is affecting that trade and others related to it, especially that of timber, whilst the continuance of the mild weather is holding up the coal trade. The iron and steel industry appears to be in a state of suspended animation, awaiting the tariffs.
Northumberland and Durham.
The most active industry in this area is that of ship repairing, which is fairly brisk along the Tyne. The coal industry in Northumberland is fair, and steady but quiet in Durham. It is reported that the Consett Iron Co., Ltd., is preparing to reopen the coke works at Templeton, as well as the Victoria Colliery.
Yorkshire.
The woollen industry is quiet but optimistic, as may be judged by the fact, important in itself to readers of these notes, that manufacturers of machinery in Keighley are busy on machines for the mills of Bradford, etc. The manufacturers of the lighter types of machinery in Sheffield and district are fairly busy, and makers of steel for .the motorcar industry are finding the demand an increasing one. Hull reports only moderate landings of timber at the docks, but a fairly steady depletion of stocks on hand. The heavyengineering trade is slack. Lancashire.
Although the staple industries of this county, cotton and coal, are reported to be stagnant, the general outlook is favourable. Inquiries in the engineering trade indicate good prospects ; the rayon factories are booking orders, makers of wire and of small machine tools are busy, and light-casting foundries are active. The timber trade, although generally dull, chiefly because of slackness in the building trade, is showing signs of activity in other directions. Makers of portable wood buildings, sheds, garages and the like are busy.
The Lancashire motor-manufacturing concerns are booking large orders, especially the Crossley and Leyland organizations. In Bolton,Crundslehuhne, Ltd., has introdueed a new industry, namely, the manufacture of vitreous-porcelain enamelled-iron goods for use on coal fires. The L.M.S. Railway Co. is building a new bridge at St. Helens on the Wigan-Liverpool line.
Midlands.
Birmingham and district reports slight improvement in the hardware and edged-tools business, as well as in those concerned with the manufacture of electrical machinery. The artificial silk and hosiery trades are also expanding, but slowly. Aluminium and brass founders are feeling the benefit of the emergency tariffs.
The recently noted improvements in the hosiery and lace trade in Nottingham, Leicester and district seem to have reached their zenith—at any rate, for a time. The embroidery type of lace is, however, in great demand, and those factories specializing therein are busy.
New coke ovens have just been started at Scunthorpe by J. Lysaght, Ltd. They are capable of producing 600 tons of coke, 1,000,000 gallons of benzole, :3,000,000 gallons of tar and 4,000 tons of sulphates per week.
South Wales.
The release of weather-bound vessels has created a demand for coal. Otherwise, trade in general in this area is very quiet. The tinplate industry is almost the only bright spot. The G.W.R. station at Swansea is shortly to be rebuilt, and work is about to commence on the big electricity station at Tir John North.
East Anglia.
The improvement in the boot and shoe trade, already noted, shows every sign of continuing. It is reported that two new factories for canning vegetables and fruit are to be built in Norfolk.
Scotland, , Ship repairs are plentiful on the Clyde, otherwise reports are dull.
Road Repairs.
County councils are now arranging their annual road-repair and roadmaking contracts.