Industry | Mitcham History Notes

Universal Tools Works
Tramway Path

Tool & Jig Maker

The factory opened in 1940, and can be seen in this aerial photo from May 1946.

Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland

Made parts for De Havilland Mosquito during WW2, see Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History.

1/8/1940 Flight Magazine

UNIVERSAL TOOLS, Ltd., have now equipped their new factory with large range of presses up to 75 tons; having own tool room. Prompt deliveries can be effected of pressings, assemblies, etc., also electric welding; A.I.D. approved; over 30 years’ experience with difficult problems.— Universal Tools, Ltd., Tramway Path, Mitcham. ‘Phone: Mitcham 2634.

1948

1956

Norwood News – Friday 13 April 1956
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

1953 OS Map

Norwood News – Friday 10 August 1962
Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.

Margarine factory that was in Mortimer Road from 1932 to 1965.

1952 OS map showing outline of Benninga factory

According to Eric Montague’s Mitcham Histories : 14 Upper Mitcham and Western Road, page 93, the factory was built on the site of the Holborn Union Workhouse Gas Works.

From the Daily News (London) – Saturday 23 April 1932

NEW BRITISH FACTORY

AMSTERDAM.

— A factory and 175 acres of ground near Mitcham, Surrey, has been bought by the Dutch margarine firm of Benninga. A British company will he founded with a capital of £50,000, and It is expected that production will begin in the autumn. The factory will have a producing capacity of 200 to 300 tons a week.

— Reuter.

Benninga was a Dutch company that set up factories in Hull and Mitcham to avoid import tariffs.

1965 Winding Up

BENNINGA (MITCHAM) LIMITED
At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of the above-named Company, duly convened and held at 20 Cannon Street, London E.C.4, on the 12th day of August 1965, the following Special Resolution was duly passed ; ” That the Company be wound up voluntarily, and that Mr. Peter Ewen, of 17 St. Helen’s Place, London E.C.3, and Mr. Stanley Shaw, of 13 Wood-cote Close, Kingston, Surrey, be and they are hereby appointed Liquidators of the Company for the purposes of such winding-up.”
(364)
A. J. Penfold, Secretary.

Merton Memories Photos
1938 delivery of equipment from Amsterdam via Hull
Undated, possibly of offices
Staff photo
Home Guard drilling at factory

This ad from 1938 introduces the brands VITSU and LARDEX:

It also refers to the works as the BENNINGA SUNSHINE FACTORY.

1962 ad

Text of ad:

Ask your Grocer for
BENNINGA’S
PRODUCTS
THE BEST THAT MONEY CAN BUY

B.B.M. & WAYSIDE
MARGARINES
BENNINGA’S LARD
COOKING OILS
GREEN CIRCLE DRIPPING
VITSU SHREDDED SUET

Are manufactured by:
BENNINGA (MITCHAM) LTD.
(Incorporating Juvit Ltd.)
MITCHAM — SURREY
MITcham 3061 (7 lines)

Established 29 years — good for a century