History Clarke Chapman

a steam turbine, generator & switchboard set, made clarke, chapman, parsons & co. in collection of thinktank, birmingham science museum.

the company founded in 1864 in gateshead william clarke (1831–1890). in 1865 clarke took in partner, abel chapman, , 2 of them developed business 1 of largest manufacturers of cranes , other mechanical handling equipment in world. in 1870 2 further partners joined firm, joseph watson , joseph gurney. firm became known clarke, chapman , gurney. joseph gurney retired firm in 1882. firm subsequently formed partnership john furneaux , charles parsons, , became known clarke, chapman, parsons, , company. parsons left firm in 1889.

by 1907 firm manufactured extensive range of ship s auxiliary machinery, mining plant, water tube boilers, , pumps. clarke chapman became main supplier of auxiliary equipment british shipbuilding industry before first world war.

in 1969 clarke chapman acquired sir william arrol & co., leading bridge-builder.

in 1970 clarke chapman acquired john thompson, leading boiler making business based in wolverhampton.

in 1974 clarke chapman acquired uk interests of international combustion, diverse group of heavy engineering businesses.

the company merged reyrolle parsons in 1977 form northern engineering industries plc acquired rolls royce plc in 1989.

the business continues today part of langley holdings limited acquired rolls royce in 2000.

ships using clarke chapman mechanical handling equipment include rfa wave knight , rfa wave ruler completed in 2000 , 2001 respectively.