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).
Internal communication discussing business operations, production, pricing, and personnel matters.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M6\ img092 | |
| Date | 4th June 1928 guessed | |
| in the event of the two wooden huts being released, I would suggest that we re-erect one, if not two, of these and make them into a canteen for the workers. Item 7. We can make our own 1.C. Crane Motors, and we can always quote a higher figure for fitting these to other makers. Item 8. It is impossible for us to add 33 1/3% to material we have to buy, such as motors and girders, 10% is the average recognised figure, and many firms to-day do not add this amount. Item 9. The prices at which we are obtaining orders are as a rule above the prices of our competitors, and usually we are near the top. The time has undoubtedly arrived when we must design closely and carefully, and manufacture economically, and the more we can make ourselves from the raw material, the greater should be the contribution to our charges, provided it is produced efficiently and economically. We can obtain a greater amount of orders, but the work must move quicker. Item 10. We all need one anothers help, sympathy and full confidence, and at the same time realise the fact that all members of the staff, and particularly the leading members have their whole time very fully occupied. Item 11. Personally, I am inclined to think that the actual workers in the shop have nothing to complain of, they are earning good money through being on piecework, it is rather the staff as whole which are overworked and receive no corresponding benefit. Item 12. I believe everyone on the ground does know and appreciate the great advantage of reputation, Trading Name, and British reputation, and we must enlist your help in maintaining such advantages, and at the same time ask you to advise us how to produce designs which will meet the present severe competition, and at the same time provide us with full charges and maintain our reputation. Just as a matter of illustration may I refer to pulley Blocks "One Ton" Capacity. Herbert Morris -1-Ton Block weights - 4cwts. Matterson Limited - do - - 6 " Royce Limited, as made for Combustion weighs - 12½ " The market value of these three blocks is approximately £80.0.0d. we had to take combustion order at £80.0.0d. each, and whilst I am prepared to admit that the first two are lighter blocks, and with-out travelling wheels; you will appreciate the fact that to produce a saleable article to produce a profit at £80.0.0d. we cannot afford to put anything like twice to three times the weight of material into it. I have also to acknowledge your letter of the 19th ulto. in reference to the filing of shafts. We did use rolled shafting at one time and had it under size, but we were always troubled with the gear wheels lifting on the key and running out of truth. You did say previously you would prefer us to use the Sellers type of coupling, but the Crane Drawing Office have not yet changed over. | ||