R Harris(Brassfounders) Ltd - Spraygen
R Harris (Brassfounders) Ltd came into being on 31st December 1925 when the company was recorded by the Registrar of Companies and followed a meeting held on 23rd December 1925 at which the two named directors, H E Jefferies and J Lilly set the business up. The stated nominal capital was £2000 comprising of 2,000 £1 shares. The registered office was at that time 12 Lower Tower Street, Birmingham and both men gave their occupations as brassfounders and both men resided in Birmingham.
This new company appears to have replaced a pre existing company named Reuben Harris who was listed in the 1924 Kelly directory as also being located at 12 Lower Tower Street and from tracing their presence in earlier Kelly Directories had been trading since 1890 at least, and possibly earlier. The 1891 census records that a Reuben Harris who gave his profession as a Brass Maker lived at an address in Burberry Street, the 1890 and 1892 Kelly indicates that a company known as Reuben Harris traded from Vine Works, 17 Burberry Street.
A document dated 30 December 1931 indicated that the registered office moved to Rosenjet Works, 17/18 Buckingham Street, Birmingham. The name given to the works is interesting as the name Rosenjet appeared on a sprayer made by W T French & Sons who used the trade name Mysto.
1 January 1937 saw two new directors being elected, these were Mrs H M Jefferies and Mrs M R Lilly, the document indicated that Mr J Lilly was both a director and secretary to the company.
A letter dated February 1943 reveals that the registered office had moved once again to 55 Newhall Hill, Birmingham 1, the main directors were listed as being H. E. Jefferies and J. Lilly. The letter also advises that the company was established in 1867 and that they were using a trade mark 'The ROSENJET'. A price list, dated February 1942, obtained with the letter further reinforces this as the telegraphic address was given as "ROSENJET," Birmingham. Among the sprayers featured in the price list is The "Rosenjet" syringe, Patent No. 217297. which threw a rose spray, or jet simply by turning the syringe in the hand. Its dimensions were given as 18 x 1+1/2 (inches) and was priced at 70 shillings per dozen.
An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on 29 April 1954, held at Rosenjet Works, 55 Newhall Hill, B1 resulted in the share capital being increased from £2,000 to £5,000. Interestingly the document submitted to the Registrar of Companies was signed by a J B H French. Investigation has revealed that J B H French was the son of A W French. A W French is shown in the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce section of the 1924 and 1934 Kelly Directory as being the representative of W.T. French & Sons Ltd. Further investigation needs to be carried out to establish whether the two references to A W French do in fact relate to the same person. Further information has now come to light that does confirm that the two references do relate to the same man.
A further EGM held on 8 August 1957 again at 55 Newhall Hill shows that the share capital was again increased, this time from £5,000 to £10,000; the document was submitted once again by J B H French.
On 26 January 1960 an EGM held at 40-42 Great Charles Street, Birmingham 3 resulted in the share capital being increased again from to £15,000 by the creation of 4,000 7.5% redeemable preference shares. These were allotted to directors of the company including J B H French who at this time was the Chairman, as well as G M French and K M Waters.
12 August 1964 saw a number of events taking place. An EGM took place at the registered office, now shown as 109/111 Pope Street, Birmingham 1 when the share capital as again increased, this time to £40,000 by way of 10,000 ordinary shares and 15,000 unclassified shares all of £1. This was signed by J B H French as Director and G M French as Chairman. In addition a special resolution for Bonus issue on Capitalisation was agreed with the 14,000 shares being distributed to A A Gallett, A W French, J B H French and G M French and the document signed by G M French, K M Waters and J B H French.
R Harris ( Brassfounders) changed its name on 10 October 1966 to Spraygen Sprayers Ltd.
April 1973 saw what was probably the biggest change in the makeup of the company when J B H French resigned as Secretary and a number of new directors were appointed including R D Hill Ling from South Australia following the acquisition of Spraygen Sprayers by Hills Industries on 11 April 1973.A document dated 12 April 1973 records that the registered office was changed to Sir Alfred Owen Way, Pontygwindy Industrial Estate, Caerphilly, Mid Glamorgan, South Wales.
The end of year returns in the records indicate that after the takeover by Hills Industries Spraygen Sprayers ceased to trade. For a while its principal activity was to operate as a commission agent but from 1991 its principal activity was to receive interest on the amount owed by its immediate holding company.
At time of writing, May 2007, Spraygen Sprayers are still listed with Companies House, however the lack of a recent return suggests they are in danger of being struck off.