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).
Minutes of a conference discussing the costs and profitability of the 20/25 HP chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan156 | |
| Date | 26th January 1933 | |
| PRIVATE. 20/25 H.P. CHASSIS COSTS. A Conference was held in Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}'s room in the after- noon of the 25th instant in connection with the above at which the following were present:- E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Sft.{Mr Swift} Roy.{Sir Henry Royce} We. AMs. HWT. HHC. Ms. Mr. Gradwell, Mr. Scott, Mr. Brook, Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} pointed out:- That he had called this Meeting so that he could have a chat with all concerned, and put the position before them. The talk was not a complaint nor a grouse, but it was an effort to help to reduce the cost of the above. He believed it was their duty, as leaders, to be always looking forward, and to remember that we might lose some of our work because, take aero engine work, for instance, this appears to move in cycles, and he referred to other firms who had previously manufactured Aero engines, and had now lost this work. In November 1930 we employed roughly 2,100 employees, other than staff, and the last report to the Board showed we had now, approximately, 4,200, excluding staff, and that it was our business to endeavour to keep all these employees. The output for the last 7 months of last year was remarkably good; we had made about 3 big chassis and 12 little ones per week. We had started well this year, but the profit on the 20/25 chassis was negligible. In this respect, as regards the big chassis, there was no complaint, and if we could reverse the output of chassis it would be nice, but, unfortunately, we were unable to do this. In the case of the 20/25 H.P. we are not making more than £50 per chassis profit. This is certainly better than a loss, but it would be agreed by all that when we take the efforts of all concerned from Sir Henry downwards, it is by no means sufficient. We should double this profit. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and all at Sales are doing their very best, but they have Agents to contend with, and they are asking for a greater allowance all the time. | ||