European University Institute Library

The growth and dissolution of a large-scale business enterprise, the Furness interest 1892-1919, Gordon Boyce

eng

index present

non fiction

The growth and dissolution of a large-scale business enterprise

electronic resource

dictionaries

1020066653

Gordon Boyce

Research in maritime history, number 49Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

the Furness interest 1892-1919

This book is an in-depth case study of the Furness Withy and Co Shipping Group, which operated both tramp and liner services and was one of the five major British shipping groups of the early twentieth century. It demonstrates how British shipowners of this period generated success by exploring Christopher Furness' career in relation to the social, political, and cultural currents during a time of tremendous shipping growth in Britain and the establishment of some of the largest shipping firms in the world. It approaches the study from three angles. The first analyses how the Furness Group expanded its shipping activities and became involved with the industrial sector. The second illustrates the organisational and financial structure of the enterprise. Finally, the Group's leadership and entrepreneurship is scrutinised and placed within the wider context of twentieth century British business. The case study begins in 1870, with an introduction explaining how Christopher Furness came to join the family company, Thomas Furness and Co. in order develop services, expand, and instigate the changes and mergers that brought the Furness Group into existence. There are thirteen chronologically presented chapters, a bibliography, and seven appendices of data including an ownership timeline, tonnage statistics, acquisitions, a list of maritime associates, and a timeline of Christopher Furness' life. The book concludes in 1919 with the de-merging of the Furness Group's shipping and industrial holdings, the resignation of the Furness family from the company's board, the sale of their shares, and the move into managing the firm's industrial interests.--, Provided by publisher

Furness' Shipping Services: growth by organic means in the 1880s -- The 1890s: Furness Withy's expansion by acquisition and promotion -- Diversification into the industrial sector, 1895-1901 -- Trouble on the transatlantic route: the formation of the IMM and Furness' response -- The growth of shipping services, 1902-1909 -- Industrial operations and performance, 1900-1914 -- The growth of the shipping interests, 1910-1919 -- Structury -- Finance -- Holding company investment activities and intermediary operations -- Personnel -- Furness -- Dissolution -- Appendix 1: Development of the combined fleet, 1900-1919 -- Appendix 2a: Patterns of ownership: the Furness Group, 1919 -- Appendix 2b: Reorganization of branch offices and superintending departments, 1911-1912 -- Appendix 3a: Fluctuations in freights, profits, tonnage afloat and merchant shipping output -- Appendix 3b: Output of merchant tonnage (excluding warships) 1892-1913 -- Appendix 3c: Flucuations in the price of a 7500-ton cargo steamer, 1898-1913 -- Appendix 4: Development of the Furness Group: principal promotions, acquisitions and divestments, 1880-1919 -- Appendix 5: Northern allies and maritime associates -- Appendix 6: Contemporary accounting law and conventions, 1845-1914 -- Appendix 7: Lord Furness' movements, 1899-1912