EDINBURGH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 59, 7 September 1926, Page 19

EDINBURGH

I j THE WATER OF LEITH. ! ] | | TRADE AND INDUSTRIES. \ \ I ! A GREAT VARIETY. § I gib § =683

By L. L. Bladknell, F.S.S., F.C.1.5., Secretary Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Edinburgh's industries are in a position to take part in the supply- of New Zealand's needs. British trade and British industries are not "down and out." They have come through very hard times during the last few years, and are not yet free of some of their embarrassments, but there are now signs of a good recovery. In certain departments of trade and manufacture, Edinburgh is in the front rank, as will be seen from the following account of her industries. Edinburgh manufacturers are in a position to supply Dominion buyers, and particularly those of New Zealand, with the goods they require, j Never were our manufacturers more ready and willing to adapt themselves to the needs of Dominion customers than they are now. The people of New Zealand being so largely of Scottish birth or descent, the j name of Edinburgh, the capital o? land, will stir a feeling of warm aft^. in their hearts. Edinburgh is growing and developing, but yet is the same romantic and historic city which Scotsmen all the world over treasure in their memory or look forward one day to visit. Edinburgh as a centre of banking, insurance, and finance is second only to London among the cities of the United Kingdom. Among the manufacturing industries of Edinburgh, which are many and varied, printing and the allied trades, brewing and distilling, rubber manufacture, and certain special branches of the engineering and metal industries stand out most prominently. It in not possible to mention every branch of industry which ia represented, but the following list includes, many of the most important :—Shipbuilding and repairing, marine and electrical engineering, steel constructional work, brewing, distilling, malting, dyeing and bleaching, printing, bookbinding, lithography, wire-drawing and wire-rope manufacture, the manufacture of rubber and vulcanite, biscuits and confectionery, motor accessories, fertilisers, heavy chemicals, fine chemicals and drugs, soap, salt, paper, papermaking machinery, glue and gelatine, earthenware and art pottery, ' leather, boots and shoes, carpets, hosiery and woollen goods, margarine, 'fishing nets, printing ink, rope, and sail-cloth. The factors which 'have led to the establishment of these industries in Edinburgh, and which, at the same time, favour the starting of new industries, are the presence of a fine harbour and well-equipped docks, an abundant coal supply from mines in the immediate vicinity, excellent transport facilities, good water, electric light and power, gas and other municipal services, and suitable land for factory sites. Perhaps the most favourable of these is the rapid development, which is now in progress, of the East Lothian coal field. The coal field has its boundary within a few miles of the city in a south-easterly direction, and the output of coal is rapidly increasing.

thetics, and drugs is carried on by several well-known firms. Sulphuric acid, heavy chemicals, and fertilisers are made in Leith. Coal Export.—Leifch has exported, and is capable of exporting, coal to the extent of two and a half million tons a year. Tne facilities for the shipment of coal in bulk include five, hydraulic hoists and three cranes. The rapidity of Joading compares favourably with that in any other coaling port. Distilling.—The whisky trade of Edinburgh and Leith comprises two sections —distilling and blending. Scotland is the home of distilling, and two of the largest distilleries are located in Edinburgh. There are, in addition, several smaller distilleries, whose operations are favoured by the suitability of the water supply, by the presence of many blenders in the district, and by the facilities for distribution. Large quantities of spirit are brought in to Edinburgh and Leith from other parts of Scotland to be blended, so that the advantage of uniformity of quality and flavour may be secured. This trade also is favoured by the convenient means of transit by land and sea afforded from Leith, and via Glasgow.

THE PORT OF LEITH,

The harbour and docks of Leith—the port of Edinburgh—form the largest port on the east coast of Scotland. Situated on the Firth of Forth, with a free deepwater outlet to the seas and ports of the .world, the port of Leith occupies a position of, real importance in world trade. Accommodation for all classes of shipping is provided, and the arrangements and appliances for dealing with an. everincreasing volume of tonnage are of the first order. The harbour and docks are administered by the Leith Dock and Harbour Commissioners, a representative, and non-profit-making body which fixes' the charges on a basis of the actual cost of the services rendered. The following are the dimensions of the wet docks at | Leith:—> ■ . Water Quay- Entrance area. age. width, depth* Acres. Ft. Ft. Ft. East Old Dock 5 2020 35 17 West Old Dock 5 1840 35 17 Victoria Dock .. 5 1870 60 23 Albert Dock ... 11 2770 60 25 Edinburgh Dock 164 5990 60 25 Imperial Dock IS>| 4580 70 29^ *At high water, ordinary spring tides. The docks are open from two to three hours before high water on every tide, but, for the maintenance of express traffic, access can be obtained through locks between tides of vessels of about 300 feet in length. There are several shiprepairing and engineering firms capable of carrying out the heaviest class of work and five shipbuilding yards in which vesBels up to 350 feet in length can be built, engined, and completely equipped.;

BANKING.

Edinburgh haß been a great banking centre for over a century and a quarter, and is the headquarters of banking in /Scotland. ,The head offices of five of the great Scottish banks are Bituated in the city, and the operations and connections of these institutions are world-wide. .The Scottish banking system has kept pace with the expanding commercial requirements of the country. The financial strength of the banks is unassailable. JWith large resources at their command, they are in a position to finance increased production and to meet contingencies associated with the introduction of new trade.; INDUSTRIES, Brewing.—The quality of Edinburgh alei is known all over the civilised world. The natural advantagea of Edinburgh, in regard to abundant water supply, purity of atmosphere, proximity to coal fields and fertile agricultural districts, moderate taxation and efficient administration, have resulted in the city becoming the second largest brewing centre in Great Britain, and therefore one of the largest in the world. Edinburgh is conveniently situated for obtaining good home-grown barleys from the neighbouring counties, whilst the facilities afforded by the port of Leith enables supplies of foreign barleys to be imported and an export trade in beer to overseas countries, as well as to other ports of Great Britain, to be carried on. Chemical Manufacture. —The manufacture of fine chemicals, alkaloicfa, anaei-

ENGINEERING AND METALS

The following are some of the chief branches of the engineering and metal industries carried on in Edinburgh and Leith: —Ship building . and repairing, barge and pontoon building; ships' engines and boilers; electrical power plant, dynamos, alternators, boosters, motor generators, rotary converters, , etc.; j paper-making machinery; rubber plantation equipment; machinery for rubber manufacture; linoleum manufacturing machinery; machine tools; steelworks plant; heating apparatus and hothouse equipment; bread and biscuit-making machinery; carpet-cleaning machinery; motor accessories;. gas meters, tinplate working, bronze and brass founding; scientific instruments and surgical instruments and appliances; silversmiths' and j art metal work. Engineering probably arose in Edinburgh out of the.demand created by the establishment of the printing industry, which led to a demand for paper and printing type. As the process of paper manufacture developed, ■ the need for paper-making machinery grew, and in meeting this demand the foundations were laid for one of the most important sections of Edinburgh's, engineering trade. At the present time there are at [ least four large firms in Edinburgh engaged in 'the manufacture of papermaking ' machinery and supplying such plant to paper-makers in all parts of the world. The development of the endless paper-making machine dates from the beginning of the nineteenth century, and was coincident with the establishment of one of the. oldest engineering undertakings of Edinburgh, the name of which is famed wherever' paper-making is carried on. The machines used' for producing the Bank of England 'paper currency were made :in Edinburgh. The firm above refened to also specialises in the manufacture of rubber plantation machinery, machinery for rubber manufacture, machine tools, and general engineering work. Important constructional engineering is also identified with Edinburgh, and one firm in the city, holding an eminent position in Great Britain, has fulfilled many important contracts, including the erection of several of the fine buildings for which Edinburgh is celebrated. Horticultural and heating engineering ?g another branch carried on in Edinburgh. A local establishment is known throughout the shipping trade of the world for the manufacture of ships: steering gear. Every British battleship and cruiser afloat at the present time is fitted with Brown's patent hydraulic steering telemotor gear. This patent gear has been installed in the steamers of many of our leading shipping companies, such as the Peninsular and Oriental and the Cunard, while the French and Italian mercantile marine have largely adopted the apparatus for their ves- ! sels. This firm also specialises in hydraulic machinery for the loading and discharging of ships' cargo, and at the same time carries on a general engineering , trade. The works of a wellknown firm of manufacturers of electrical power plant—the largest in Scotland— are situated in Edinburgh. Engineering in Edinburgh is remarkable for its diversity. Other sections of the trade which may be mentioned are the manufacture of bakers' machinery, gas meters, motor accessories, linoleum machinery, cranes, and other plant. Iron and brass founding are also carried on to an extent sufficient to supply the needs of the district. Scientific apparatus, philosophical instruments, and surgical appliances are made by local firms whose products are famed all over the world. Grain Trade.—The traffic in grain imports of Leith has amounted to as much as 450,000 tons a year. The modern appliances available at the port for quick dicharge of grain consist of bucket and pneumatic elevators with automatic weighing, which discharge by belts into the warehouse.; !Warehouse accommodation is ample. Hosiery and Tweed Manufacture.—A growing industry in Edinburgh is the manufacture of tweed cloth and hosiery, hitherto associated, as far as Scotland is concerned, mainly with the Border towns. Men's and women's, hosiery of the highest quality is manufactured, distributed to all parts of Grea^ Britain, and exported in growing quantities to overseas markets, particularly the United States of America and the British Dominions.

INSURANCE.

The insurance companies whos.e management is situated in the Scottish capital have, through years of steady conservative operations, attained a position which is unassailable. Insurance companies operating in Edinburgh have an annual income exceeding £20,000,000, and their accumulated funds, according to the latest published statements, exceed a total of £125,000,000. The expansion of business within recent years has been very marked, and the companies domiciled in Edinburgh have had a full share of this development. Moreover, indications, point to a further expansion of

insurance business in the immediate future, and it may confidently be affirmed that the Edinburgh institutions will not be behind in the prosecution of their business.

PRINTING, PAPER, AND ALLIED TRADES.

First of Edinburgh's industries is printing, with which may be grouped the publishing of books, the manufacture of paper, paper-making machinery, printingink and type, map-making and posterprinting, electro-typing, process engraving, and the manufacture of stationery. Manufacturing firms of world-wide renown are engaged in these trades. For over a century Edinburgh has been famous for good printing, and the industry is flourishing. In recent years an energetic section of the trade has undertaken to cater for the requirements of the advertising world, and a large quantity of printing of the most up-to-date kind is now done, keeping pace with the progress of the modern science and art of advertising. The educational publications of Edinburgh firms, ranging from the advanced scientific treatise down to the simplest school books, are known wherever the English language is spoken or taught. The manufacture of school furniturd and equipment is an industry of growing importance. Paper Manufacture.—Consequent on I the presence of a flourishing printing industry, a large number of allied and subsidiary trades are established in and around Edinburgh. Amongst these may be mentioned bookbinding, electrotyping, typecasting, and the manufacture of printing ink. But the most important is the paper-making industry, which is famous for fine printing, writing and account-book papers, as well as art or coated papers for illustrated books and magazines. In the numerous mills situated on the River Esk and the Water of Leith, paper for practically every ordinary purpose is manufactured. It is claimed that more fine paper is made within twenty miles of Edinburgh than in any other district in Great Britain.

PROVISIONS AND FRUIT.

The port of Leith is a convenient destination for the produce of the agricultural, dairying, and egg-producing countries of the world. Motor transport now supplements to a growing extent the railway facilities for the distribution of perishable produce. The annual imports of butter at Leith amount to 25,000 tons. Cheese is imported to the extent ot 4000 to 5000 tons a year. Up to 30,000 tons of eggs are imported yearly at the port. Fresh fruit of all descriptions :s the subject of a considerable trade.

RUBBER MANUFACTURE

The rubber manufacturing industry of Edinburgh will compare, as regards diversity of its products, with that of any other centre in the world. The Scottish manufacturers make every description of rubber articles, of which the following are a few examples:—Canvas-rubber shoes, goloshes, solid rubber tires, motor tires, cycle tires, rubber hose, driving and conveyor belting, moulded articles, rubber sheeting, waterproof cloth and garments, vulcanite combs, celluloid, and golf balls. The processes used in Edinburgh in the manufacture of rubber are the result of long practice, acquired knowledge, and professional skill. The knowledge which the Edinburgh manufacturers possess is based largely on scientific research carried out in their own chemical and physical' laboratories.

ROPE'MAKING.

Eope, twine, and sailcloth manufacture has been a leading industry in Leith for well over a century. Chief of the influences which favoured its growth was the presence of the"shipbuilding and shipping trades of Leith. Other favourable factors are abundant supplies of water for bleaching purposes, facilities for the importation of raw material and the exportation of manufactured goods, and the large demand in the fishing ports of Scotland and the North of England. There is also a large foreign demand for the products of this industry, which have a world-wide reputation for excellence of quality. Heavy Manila rope for steamer and railway use, fine yacht Manila rope, and tarred trawl warps for trawl fishing are specialties of the Leith manufacturers. The fine fishing lines made of flax, and the heavier lines of selected hemp which are employed in the Norwegian and Newfoundland deep-sea fishing are produced here. Binder twine for the harvesting machines used in the United States and Canada is made and shipped abroad in large quantities during the season. Leith sailcloth and canvas have the highest reputation among shipowners throughout the world. Tarpaulin and wagon overcloths. are woven. Waterproofing and the preparation of rotproof and fireproof canvas are other departments of the industry. Wire Eope.—ln the neighbouring town of Musselburgh an important industry is the manufacture of wire ropes for use in collieries and in all mining operations,

TIMBER.

The importation and distribution or timber is a trade of large dimensions in Leith, supplying nob only the requirements of Edinburgh and the surrounding district but extending throughout Scotland and also into England. The management of the timber yards of Leith, which cover many acres, has always been marked by ability and enterprise. The sawmills are well organised and equipped with modern and powerful machinery. The above brief account of Edinburgh's industries will doubtless convey to exporters of New Zealand produce suggestions as to the merchandise which Edinburgh buyers are capable of taking in larger quantities from the Dominion ot New Zealand.