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 from a Works Committee conference discussing sales figures, capital turnover, and the production strategy for the 40/50, Goshawk II, and a proposed third line model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan260 | |
| Date | 28th February 1921 | |
| MINUTES OF WORKS COMMITTEE CONFERENCES. 25TH. AND 28TH. FEBRUARY 1921. Present - Hr. Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Copies to - R.{Sir Henry Royce} CJ. BJ. C. Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Hr. Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Reference CJ1/D2/2.2.21. These minutes were drawn up prior to receipt of R's memo H3/G23.2.21. to CJ. The Works Committee assume that the two costs referred to in paragraph 4 on page 1, are the actual cost of chassis as delivered to Sales, and on the same basis as chassis are now delivered to Sales, that is to say, without tyres. In considering CJ's memo as above, the Committee are impressed by the following self-evident facts which appear to them to dominate the situation:- 1. It is essential in order that the Company may live for the Capital of the Company to be turned over at the Works at least four times in the year which represents roughly a yearly Sales figure of £5,000,000. 2. The figure given for possible Sales of the 40/50 and Goshawk II chassis by those competent to express an opinion, i.e. Sales Dept. shows quite clearly that we do not even approach this figure. 3. From 1 and 2 it is obvious that it is necessary that a very much larger market must be tapped than those markets represented by the 40/50 and Goshawk II, and this can only be done by designing and manufacturing a third line model, the relative importance of the three models being settled by the proportion of the Works they fill. 4. The Committee recognize that it is wise to complete Goshawk II, hoping that the immediate sale of it would carry us over a vital part of the present depression, and with the further view that a third line should be produced as soon as possible after Goshawk II. | ||