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{{short description|Former British manufacturing company}}
{{for|other companies of the same name|Vickers}}
{{for|other companies of the same name|Vickers}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
⚫
| name = Vickers plc
| logo = [[Image:Vickers plc logo.png|100px]]
| name = Vickers plc
⚫
| logo = Vickers plc logo.svg
⚫
| fate = Purchased by [[Rolls-Royce plc]] and re-named Vinters Engineering
| logo_size =
⚫
| fate = Purchased by [[Rolls-Royce plc]] and renamed Vinters Engineering
| successor = [[Vinters Engineering Limited]] and [[Alvis plc|Alvis Vickers]]
| successor = [[Vinters Engineering Limited]] and [[Alvis plc|Alvis Vickers]]
| foundation = {{ubl|(company) {{Start date and age|1867|04|17}} as Vickers Limited|1998 re-named Vickers Engineering|2003 re-named Vinters Engineering}}
| foundation = {{ubl|{{Start date and age|1867|04|17|df=y}} as Vickers Limited|1998 renamed Vickers Engineering|2003 renamed Vinters Engineering}}
| defunct = 1999
| defunct = 1999
| location = [[United Kingdom]]
| location = [[United Kingdom]]
| industry = Defence, Engineering, Marine Engineering
| industry = Defence, engineering, marine engineering
| parent = [[Vickers-Armstrongs]]
| parent = [[Vickers-Armstrongs]]
| subsid = Vickers Defence Systems <br>[[Cosworth]]
| subsid = Vickers Defence Systems <br>[[Cosworth]]
}}
}}
'''Vickers plc''' was the remainder of [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] after the nationalisation of three of its four operating groups: aviation (as a 50% share since 1960 of [[British Aircraft Corporation]] (BAC) in 1977), shipbuilding ([[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering|Vickers Limited Shipbuilding Group]] in 1977) and steel. It was purchased by [[Rolls-Royce plc]] in 1999, and the Vickers company name became defunct in 2004.
'''Vickers plc''' was the remainder of [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] after the nationalisation of three of its four operating groups: aviation (as a 50% share since 1960 of [[British Aircraft Corporation]] (BAC) in 1977), shipbuilding ([[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering|Vickers Limited Shipbuilding Group]] in 1977) and steel. It was purchased by [[Rolls-Royce plc]] in 1999, and the Vickers company name became defunct in 2003 as Rolls renamed the company [[Vinters Engineering]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00003543 | title=VINTERS ENGINEERING LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The company was created in 1977 from the rump of [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] following the nationalisation of its aviation, shipbuilding and steel businesses. During the 1980s the company acquired businesses in the Automotive Engineering sector (principally [[Rolls-Royce Motors]]), the Defence sector (principally [[Royal Ordnance Factory|Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds]]) and the Marine Engineering sector (principally [[Kamewa Waterjets|Kamewa]] and [[Ulstein]]).<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/03/2 Vickers targets new military sector] The Guardian, 3 September 1999</ref>
The company was created in 1977 from the rump of [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] following the nationalisation of its aviation, shipbuilding and steel businesses. The name was first used by the Vickers family for [[Vickers Limited]] – at first a Sheffield steel foundry and later a manufacturing conglomerate – from 1867 to 1927.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Vickers |title=Vickers |website=Graces Guide |access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref>


During the 1980s the company acquired businesses in the automotive engineering sector (principally [[Rolls-Royce Motors]]), the defence sector (principally [[Royal Ordnance Factory|Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds]]) and the marine engineering sector (principally [[Kamewa Waterjets|Kamewa]] and [[Ulstein Group|Ulstein]]).<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/03/2 Vickers targets new military sector] The Guardian, 3 September 1999</ref>
⚫
[[Rolls-Royce plc]] purchased Vickers plc for £576 million in 1999 for its marine engineering businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/452127.stm|title=Business: The Company File: Rolls-Royce to buy Vickers|date=20 September 1999|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref> In 2002, Vickers Defence Systems was purchased by [[Alvis plc]] to form the subsidiary [[Alvis Vickers]]. In 2003, Rolls-Royce renamed its Vickers subsidiaries [[Vinters plc]].<ref name="name">[[Rolls-Royce plc]] "[http://www.rolls-royce.com/investors/reports/2003/pdf/undertakings.pdf Principal subsidiary undertakings]" Retrieved 12 June 2006</ref> The Vickers name lived on in Alvis Vickers. In 2004, the board of the parent group Alvis approved a £309m takeover bid by the American defence company [[General Dynamics]]. Within 3 months [[BAE Systems]], which already had a 29% stake in the company, bid £355m for the company. The action was seen as a defence of the home market from a foreign rival. The bid was accepted by the majority of shareholders. In September 2004, BAE announced the creation of [[BAE Systems Land Systems]], a new company bringing together the BAE subsidiaries, [[RO Defence]] and Alvis Vickers. This saw the end of the famous Vickers name after 176 years. In 2005, the acquisition of [[United Defense]] led to the creation of [[BAE Systems Land and Armaments]] Group.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4324733.stm BAE Systems to buy US rival UDI] BBC, 7 March 2005</ref>

[[Rolls-Royce plc]] purchased Vickers plc for £576 million in 1999 for its marine engineering businesses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/452127.stm |title=Business: The Company File: Rolls-Royce to buy Vickers |date=20 September 1999 |access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>
In 2002, Vickers Defence Systems was purchased by [[Alvis plc]] to form the subsidiary [[Alvis Vickers]]. In 2003, Rolls-Royce renamed its Vickers subsidiaries Vinters Engineering plc.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rolls-royce.com/investors/reports/2003/pdf/undertakings.pdf |title=Principal subsidiary undertakings |date=31 December 2003 |website=Rolls-Royce Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040728002515/http://www.rolls-royce.com/investors/reports/2003/pdf/undertakings.pdf |archive-date=28 July 2004}}</ref> The Vickers name lived on in Alvis Vickers.

⚫
In 2004, the board of the parent group Alvis approved a £309m takeover bid by the American defence company [[General Dynamics]]. Within three months [[BAE Systems]], which already held a 29% stake, bid £355m for the company; this was seen as a defence of the home market from a foreign rival. The bid was accepted by the majority of shareholders. In September 2004, BAE announced the creation of [[BAE Systems Land Systems]], a new company bringing together the BAE subsidiaries, [[RO Defence]] and Alvis Vickers, which saw the end of the Vickers name after 176 years. In 2005, the acquisition of [[United Defense]] led to the creation of [[BAE Systems Land and Armaments]] Group.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4324733.stm BAE Systems to buy US rival UDI] BBC, 7 March 2005</ref>


==Businesses==
==Businesses==


===Automotive engineering===
===Automotive engineering===
{{no footnotes |section |date=May 2023}}
[[File:Vickers works in Leeds.jpg|thumb|left|The Vickers plant in [[Cross Gates]], [[Leeds]]]]
[[File:Vickers works in Leeds.jpg|thumb|left|The Vickers plant in [[Cross Gates]], [[Leeds]], 2009|alt=]]
In 1980, Vickers plc acquired [[Rolls-Royce Motors]]. This was not Vickers' first involvement with Rolls-Royce. In 1966, [[Rolls-Royce Limited]] (the original aero-engine and motor car company) acquired [[Bristol Aeroplane Company|Bristol Aeroplane]] for its [[Bristol Siddeley]] engine business, but declared it had no interest in Bristol's 20% shareholding in BAC; [[Vickers Armstrong]] and [[English Electric]] (EE) each having 40% of BAC's shares. Despite this declaration Rolls-Royce had still not disposed of its BAC stake when the former was declared bankrupt in 1971. The 20% share was eventually acquired from receivership by Vickers and [[General Electric Company plc|GEC]] (EE's parent company). In 1990, the [[Cosworth]] automotive engineering group was purchased. Vickers divested its automotive interests in 1998, selling Cosworth and Rolls-Royce Motors to [[Volkswagen Group]]. The disposal of Rolls-Royce was a complicated affair, involving [[BMW]] and legal issues surrounding the use of trademarks which were shared with [[Rolls-Royce plc]].
In 1980, Vickers plc acquired [[Rolls-Royce Motors]]. This was not Vickers' first involvement with Rolls-Royce. In 1966, [[Rolls-Royce Limited]] (the original aero-engine and motor car company) acquired [[Bristol Aeroplane Company|Bristol Aeroplane]] for its [[Bristol Siddeley]] engine business, but declared it had no interest in Bristol's 20% shareholding in BAC; [[Vickers Armstrong]] and [[English Electric]] (EE) each having 40% of BAC's shares. Despite this declaration, Rolls-Royce had not disposed of its BAC stake when the former was declared bankrupt in 1971. The 20% share was eventually acquired from receivership by Vickers and [[General Electric Company plc|GEC]] (EE's parent company). In 1990, the [[Cosworth]] automotive engineering group was purchased.

Vickers divested its automotive interests in 1998, selling Cosworth and Rolls-Royce Motors to [[Volkswagen Group]]. The disposal of Rolls-Royce was a complicated affair, involving [[BMW]] and legal issues surrounding the use of trademarks which were shared with [[Rolls-Royce plc]].


===Defence===
===Defence===
{{no footnotes |section |date=May 2023}}
In 1986, [[Royal Ordnance Factory|Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds]] (ROF Leeds) was purchased and became the core component of '''Vickers Defence Systems'''. These interests were primarily centred on land warfare products and brought the [[Challenger 1 tank]] into Vickers' portfolio. Vickers would later develop this into the [[Challenger 2 tank]], the current main battle tank of the [[British Army]] and Oman. In 1999 [[Reumech]], owner of [[Land Systems OMC|OMC]], the South African defence company was purchased and renamed as '''Vickers OMC'''. In 2004, Vickers OMC was sold to [[BAE Systems]].
In 1986, [[Royal Ordnance Factory|Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds]] was purchased and became the core of '''Vickers Defence Systems'''. These interests were primarily centred on land warfare products and brought the [[Challenger 1]] tank into Vickers' portfolio. Vickers would later develop this into the [[Challenger 2]], the current main battle tank of the [[British Army]] and Oman. In 1999 [[Reumech]], owner of [[Land Systems OMC|OMC]], the South African defence company was purchased and renamed as '''Vickers OMC'''. In 2004, Vickers OMC was sold to [[BAE Systems]].


===Marine engineering===
===Marine engineering===
Vickers was the parent company of the [[Brown Brothers (engineering)|Brown Brothers]] group, which produced marine steering gear and stabilisers. In 1986, it purchased [[Kamewa Waterjets|Kamewa]] a Swedish manufacturer of [[pump-jet|waterjet]]s, followed in 1998 by [[Ulstein]] ([[Norway]]), a major marine propulsion and engineering company. The companies were formed up as Vickers Ulstein Marine.<ref>[http://www.rolls-royce.com/marine/about/experience/default.jsp Rolls Royce Marine]</ref>
Since 1970, Vickers had been the parent of the Scottish [[Brown Brothers (engineering)|Brown Brothers]] group, which produced marine steering gear and stabilisers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Brown_Brothers_and_Co|title=Brown Brothers and Co|website=Graces Guide|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref> In 1986, it purchased [[Kamewa Waterjets|Kamewa]], a Swedish manufacturer of [[pump-jet|waterjet]]s, followed in 1998 by [[Ulstein Group|Ulstein]] (Norway), a major marine propulsion and engineering company. The companies were formed up as Vickers Ulstein Marine.<ref>[http://www.rolls-royce.com/marine/about/experience/default.jsp Rolls-Royce Marine]</ref>


==References==
==References==

<div class="references">
<references/>
<references/>

</div>
*[http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/WebCHeck/fastrack/ Companies House]. Retrieved 22 June 2006
*[http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/WebCHeck/fastrack/ Companies House]. Retrieved 22 June 2006


==External links==
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2010}}
* {{PM20|FID=co/024152|TEXT=Documents and clippings about|NAME=}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vickers Plc}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vickers Plc}}
[[Category:Vickers| ]]
[[Category:Vickers| ]]
[[Category:Defunct companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defence companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defence companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Scotswood]]
[[Category:Scotswood]]
[[Category:British companies disestablished in 1999]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1999]]

Latest revision as of 08:28, 10 August 2024

For other companies of the same name, see Vickers.

Vickers plc
IndustryDefence, engineering, marine engineering
Founded
  • 17 April 1867; 157 years ago (1867-04-17) as Vickers Limited
  • 1998 renamed Vickers Engineering
  • 2003 renamed Vinters Engineering
Defunct1999
FatePurchased by Rolls-Royce plc and renamed Vinters Engineering
SuccessorVinters Engineering Limited and Alvis Vickers
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
ParentVickers-Armstrongs
SubsidiariesVickers Defence Systems
Cosworth

Vickers plc was the remainder of Vickers-Armstrongs after the nationalisation of three of its four operating groups: aviation (as a 50% share since 1960 of British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) in 1977), shipbuilding (Vickers Limited Shipbuilding Group in 1977) and steel. It was purchased by Rolls-Royce plc in 1999, and the Vickers company name became defunct in 2003 as Rolls renamed the company Vinters Engineering.[1]

History

[edit]

The company was created in 1977 from the rump of Vickers-Armstrongs following the nationalisation of its aviation, shipbuilding and steel businesses. The name was first used by the Vickers family for Vickers Limited – at first a Sheffield steel foundry and later a manufacturing conglomerate – from 1867 to 1927.[2]

During the 1980s the company acquired businesses in the automotive engineering sector (principally Rolls-Royce Motors), the defence sector (principally Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds) and the marine engineering sector (principally Kamewa and Ulstein).[3]

Rolls-Royce plc purchased Vickers plc for £576 million in 1999 for its marine engineering businesses.[4] In 2002, Vickers Defence Systems was purchased by Alvis plc to form the subsidiary Alvis Vickers. In 2003, Rolls-Royce renamed its Vickers subsidiaries Vinters Engineering plc.[5] The Vickers name lived on in Alvis Vickers.

In 2004, the board of the parent group Alvis approved a £309m takeover bid by the American defence company General Dynamics. Within three months BAE Systems, which already held a 29% stake, bid £355m for the company; this was seen as a defence of the home market from a foreign rival. The bid was accepted by the majority of shareholders. In September 2004, BAE announced the creation of BAE Systems Land Systems, a new company bringing together the BAE subsidiaries, RO Defence and Alvis Vickers, which saw the end of the Vickers name after 176 years. In 2005, the acquisition of United Defense led to the creation of BAE Systems Land and Armaments Group.[6]

Businesses

[edit]

Automotive engineering

[edit]
The Vickers plant in Cross Gates, Leeds, 2009

In 1980, Vickers plc acquired Rolls-Royce Motors. This was not Vickers' first involvement with Rolls-Royce. In 1966, Rolls-Royce Limited (the original aero-engine and motor car company) acquired Bristol Aeroplane for its Bristol Siddeley engine business, but declared it had no interest in Bristol's 20% shareholding in BAC; Vickers Armstrong and English Electric (EE) each having 40% of BAC's shares. Despite this declaration, Rolls-Royce had not disposed of its BAC stake when the former was declared bankrupt in 1971. The 20% share was eventually acquired from receivership by Vickers and GEC (EE's parent company). In 1990, the Cosworth automotive engineering group was purchased.

Vickers divested its automotive interests in 1998, selling Cosworth and Rolls-Royce Motors to Volkswagen Group. The disposal of Rolls-Royce was a complicated affair, involving BMW and legal issues surrounding the use of trademarks which were shared with Rolls-Royce plc.

Defence

[edit]

In 1986, Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds was purchased and became the core of Vickers Defence Systems. These interests were primarily centred on land warfare products and brought the Challenger 1 tank into Vickers' portfolio. Vickers would later develop this into the Challenger 2, the current main battle tank of the British Army and Oman. In 1999 Reumech, owner of OMC, the South African defence company was purchased and renamed as Vickers OMC. In 2004, Vickers OMC was sold to BAE Systems.

Marine engineering

[edit]

Since 1970, Vickers had been the parent of the Scottish Brown Brothers group, which produced marine steering gear and stabilisers.[7] In 1986, it purchased Kamewa, a Swedish manufacturer of waterjets, followed in 1998 by Ulstein (Norway), a major marine propulsion and engineering company. The companies were formed up as Vickers Ulstein Marine.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "VINTERS ENGINEERING LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".
  2. ^ "Vickers". Graces Guide. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  3. ^ Vickers targets new military sector The Guardian, 3 September 1999
  4. ^ "Business: The Company File: Rolls-Royce to buy Vickers". 20 September 1999. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Principal subsidiary undertakings" (PDF). Rolls-Royce Group. 31 December 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2004.
  6. ^ BAE Systems to buy US rival UDI BBC, 7 March 2005
  7. ^ "Brown Brothers and Co". Graces Guide. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  8. ^ Rolls-Royce Marine
[edit]
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