From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter from Briggs Motor Bodies discussing frame maker pricing tactics and business.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\1\ scan0299 | |
| Date | 13th January 1939 | |
| 1021 CONTRACTORS TO H.M. WAR OFFICE, AIR MINISTRY, ON A.I.D. APPROVED LIST. BRIGGS MOTOR BODIES LIMITED [LOGO: NATIONAL SCHEME FOR DISABLED MEN] DIRECTORS: THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF GRANARD, K.P., G.C.V.O., P.C. CHAIRMAN. N. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} MANNING, (U.S.A. BRITISH ORIGIN) MANAGING DIRECTOR. W. O.{Mr Oldham} BRIGGS, (U.S.A.) LT.-COL. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} T. C. MOORE-BRABAZON, M.C., M.P. W. P. BROWN, (U.S.A.) W. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} ROBINSON, (U.S.A.) THE MOST HON. THE MARQUIS OF WILLINGDON, G.C.M.G., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.B.E., P.C. [LOGO: THE SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS & TRADERS LTD] TELEPHONE: RAINHAM 680 (18 LINES) TELEGRAMS & CABLES: BRIGGSBODY, DAGENHAM OUR REF. NHM/LS YOUR REF. TELE. EXT. NO. 3 DAGENHAM, ESSEX. 13th January, 1939. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Mr. Robotham, I appreciate the attitude which you have taken in your letter of the 12th regarding your frame business. In my previous letter I expressed myself rather strongly knowing that neither you nor Hives knew what was at the back of the real situation. As you probably know, all the frame makers in this country are ring controlled. We have been invited and urged to come into this group, but have preferred to operate independently and give our customers a product at a reasonable price. Their scheme has worked admirably for as with your Company, when they found that we were quoting and that higher prices would no longer be obtainable they put in a price to keep us out. Some of our other customers have recognised these tactics and given us the business knowing that our estimates were reasonably close to their true value and that it was through our efforts that such prices were made possible, also that later they would be obliged to make up this deficiency through other channels. It might interest you to know that only last week one of our good friends refused to quote on a lot of 400 frames except on a time and material basis, believing of course that we would not be interested in so small a quantity. We have met this by asking this chassis manufacturer, who is a very good friend of ours, to turn over the work to us and that it will be taken care of on a reasonable basis. You will pardon my going into all these details, but I do think that both you and Hives should know the position and I would appreciate your turning over this letter for him to read. contd..... | ||