New Britain Mystery

[MShaw]

When I worked for New Britain the the early 70s we got all of our forgings from Storms Drop Forge in Chicopee Mass. and we were told that Storms was owned by New Britain.
When I look at the history of Storms there is no mention of New Britain and when I look at the history of New Britain there is no mention of any affiliation with Storms.
I know the relationship existed as I visited Storms on several occasions while working for New Britain to start up new products and I saw large quantities of New Britain forgings in various stages of manufacture while I was there.
Is there anyone with better research talents that could shed some light on this missing link?

 

[twertsy]

When I worked for New Britain the the early 70s we got all of our forgings from Storms Drop Forge in Chicopee Mass. and we were told that Storms was owned by New Britain.
When I look at the history of Storms there is no mention of New Britain and when I look at the history of New Britain there is no mention of any affiliation with Storms.
I know the relationship existed as I visited Storms on several occasions while working for New Britain to start up new products and I saw large quantities of New Britain forgings in various stages of manufacture while I was there.
Is there anyone with better research talents that could shed some light on this missing link?

See my site. I posted an excerpt from the NB Annual Report for 1955 (I think) that announces the Blackhawk and Storms acquisitions. Last item in the Blackhawk timeline.

http://toolarchives.com/Blackhawk-Company-timeline

EDIT: It appears I didn't post the Storms portion. I'll get it to you tomorrow but you can see a portion here.
https://books.google.com/books?id=q...New+Britain&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Storms
Sent from my SM-P905V using Tapatalk

 

[MShaw]

Interesting. I was beginning to doubt my memory when I could not find any reference on my own. Thank you.
This still conflicts with data that says Moore owned Storms unless New Britain bought Storms from Moore.

 

[Gear Wolf]

This is what I'm talking about! Always great to have a new piece to the puzzle!

 

[twertsy]

Here you go guys, the full page from New Britain's Annual Report to Stockholder's, 1955

 

[twertsy]

I was able to track this down for you this morning Mshaw. From the 1948 AR to Stockholders. Problem is I can only get a snippet. I'll get you the page in a few days.

"To the Stockholders of The New Britain Machine Company: The Fifty-third Annual Statement of The New Britain ... past year, we were able to buy at a reasonable price the controlling interest of the Storms Drop Forging Company of Springfield, ..."

 

[twertsy]

In 1974, Storms is listed as a division of Litton Products Inc. Link to snippet.

 

[MShaw]

After additional review of the internet and Alloy Artifacts it appears that there were two forging companies active in the Springfield Mass. area, Page - Storms of Chickopee and Storms of Springfield. I had thought they were the same company at different times in their development but this was my error. Page - Storms was bought by Moore, hence the confusion.

The map showing the location of Storms in Springfield is definitely the operation I am familiar with.

 

[twertsy]

After additional review of the internet and Alloy Artifacts it appears that there were two forging companies active in the Springfield Mass. area, Page - Storms of Chickopee and Storms of Springfield. I had thought they were the same company at different times in their development but this was my error. Page - Storms was bought by Moore, hence the confusion.

The map showing the location of Storms in Springfield is definitely the operation I am familiar with.

Right. Interesting tidbit, the same Mr. Storms from whence the Page-Storms name comes from is the one that left Page-Storms and his position as President and started Storms Drop Forging. 1920ish if I recall correctly??

 

[MAD]

I saved this postcard image a while back when I was looking for some related info.

 

[MShaw]

Neat. Really cool photo.

 

[twertsy]

Here's the pertinent page text from the 1948 Annual Report for NB regarding the purchase of StormsDF.

 

[MShaw]

Thank you. That completes the story. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[bonneyman]

Way to go, Todd!