History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd.

by William Reid

EXTENSIONS.

During this period the extensions were neither so numerous nor so extensive as in that which immediately preceded it, for the increase in trade did not continue at a rate quite so rapid, but, nevertheless, several rather important extensions were made. Entry into the workshops, which were in course of completion in the summer of 1898, was secured in the autumn of that year, and to the new stables shortly afterwards, and about that time it was agreed to extend the biscuit factory and to utilise the old stable building, after reconstruction, as a biscuit warehouse and packing department. A considerable number of new machines were also purchased, these including fourteen or fifteen “dough-dividers” of a new pattern, manufactured by Werner, Pfleiderer & Perkins Ltd., at a cost of over £200 each, and a machine for the manufacture of sugar wafers. Three new travelling ovens were also procured for the biscuit factory. At the June 1899 quarterly meeting power was given to complete the South York Street building, operations on which had been suspended for nearly two years. At a later period it was agreed to roof in the north end of the courtyard and build a new reel oven there. It was also decided to increase the accommodation for the oatcake factory, so that the number of hot-plates might be increased from 80 to 140.

A proposal which occasioned some discussion at one or two of the general meetings of the Society was that of the directors to begin a provident fund for the employees. A number of employees had a sick benefit fund of their own, but it was proving inadequate to meet the demands on it, and those in charge approached the directors for assistance. This was granted, but, as the directors recognised that unless it was placed on a more or less compulsory basis it was not likely to secure the necessary stability, they had several consultations with representatives of the employees, and then took a ballot vote of the whole of the employees on the proposals which were submitted to them. This vote showed a majority of three to one of the employees in favour of the scheme, which was then brought before the delegates for their consideration and approval. Permission to hold a special meeting of the Society for the purpose of altering the rules to permit of a provident fund for the employees being established was granted, but at the special meeting the vote for the alteration of the rules was one less than the number necessary to give the requisite two-thirds majority, and so the proposal was defeated for the time being.

In the autumn of 1898 Mr Ballantyne resigned from his position of stable inspector, after having acted in that capacity for the long period of 28 years. At the quarterly meeting he was thanked for the long service he had given to the Society. The committee decided that the office should be abolished. Just at the end of this period it was decided to open a distributive depot in Falkirk, for the purpose of supplying the societies in that district. It was reported to the committee that there were altogether nineteen societies within a radius of twelve miles having 38 shops, which were purchasing over 500 tins of biscuits and 5,000 lbs. of oatcakes weekly. The new system was going to be more costly at the beginning, but the committee were under the impression that the trade would so increase under the new system that it would more than compensate for the additional cost.

At the end of 1901 the value of the Society’s property, including land, buildings, and fixtures, was £145,450, while the share capital, reserve, and insurance funds amounted to £102,441. Thus 70·5 per cent. of the total value of the buildings was covered. At the end of 1889, only 23 per cent. of the value had been so covered, and, notwithstanding the great increase in the value of the properties which had taken place since that time, the capital, reserve, and insurance funds had increased so much more rapidly that this very desirable result had been achieved in twelve years. The trade had grown very rapidly also in the same period, and, just at the close of the period, permission was granted to the directors to hold a demonstration for the purpose of celebrating a turnover of 3,000 sacks per week.

CHAPTER XIII.
CLYDEBANK BRANCH.

PRELIMINARY NEGOTIATIONS—THE BRANCH DECIDED ON—THE HUNT FOR A SITE—THE BUILDING ERECTED—INCREASING TRADE—FURTHER EXTENSIONS—A DISASTROUS FIRE—THE PREMISES REBUILT—A BAD SMASH—PRIZE WINNERS—GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

The time was now fast approaching when the committee were to be called on once again to consider the question of branching out. For some time the members of Clydebank Society had been a little restive. They demanded new bread, and they demanded that they should have it early in the day. This demand the directors were finding it difficult to meet, for the campaign in favour of stale bread, with a later start in the mornings for the bakers and a reasonable working day, had not borne much fruit. At length, towards the end of 1900, a request for a deputation from the Baking Society’s board was received from Clydebank directors. This deputation on their return reported that they had been informed that there had been an agitation among the members of Clydebank Society for a bakery of their own, and before they would do anything the committee of the society had wished to consult with the directors of the U.C.B.S. as to what the Federation was prepared to do. The deputation suggested that if the Clydebank directors would undertake to recommend to their members the erection by the U.C.B.S. of a branch bakery, they on the other hand would make the same recommendation to the delegates at the quarterly meeting. As Clydebank committee were divided in opinion on the matter, however, it was decided that the question should be delayed until further developments took place.

It was not until ten months after the events recorded above that anything further was heard of the proposal to erect a branch at Clydebank, and then it came in the form of information that the society had agreed to erect a bakery for themselves. The directors of the Baking Society decided to send a letter expressing surprise that they had not been informed of what was proposed before the decision was arrived at. To this the Clydebank people replied that they would be willing to discuss the matter still; and another deputation was appointed to meet with them. In giving instructions to their deputation, the directors of the Baking Society decided to offer that, if the Clydebank Society delayed taking action, they would recommend to the first quarterly meeting of the Baking Society the erection of a branch to meet the needs of the Clydebank district. The result of this meeting was that a special meeting of the members of Clydebank Society was called, at which representatives of the Baking Society were invited to be present. The minutes are silent as to what transpired at this meeting, but, from the fact that at the quarterly meeting of the Baking Society the directors came forward with a recommendation that a branch be established in Clydebank, it is evident that the meeting had been of a friendly nature. The chairman, in supporting the proposal at the quarterly meeting, stated that the delivery of bread, which had much to do with the question being raised, had greatly improved in the interval; but as the question had again been brought up in Clydebank, the committee had considered the whole matter, and were of opinion that no further extension should be made at M‘Neil Street in the meantime.

Delegates from Kinning Park and Cowlairs moved delay, and the consideration of the question was put back for three months. At the next quarterly meeting, however, the chairman stated that the reasons which he had given at last meeting for the step which the board advocated had become more forcible in the interval. The trade of the Federation was growing so rapidly that if the delegates did not agree to this proposal something else would have to be done to lessen the congestion at M‘Neil Street. On the recommendation being put to the vote, it was carried by a large majority.

Some little time elapsed, however, before suitable ground was procured and the plans approved, and it was not until the end of August that operations really commenced. Land was feued between Yoker and Clydebank at John Knox Street and abutting on the North British Railway, and here a large building consisting of three storeys and attics was erected, having accommodation on two floors for thirty-two large draw-plate ovens. The upper floors were to be utilised as flour stores, and a large sifting and blending plant was erected. Ample lavatory and bath accommodation was provided for the workers, and arrangements were made at the back of the building whereby the railway wagons ran underneath a wing of the building, allowing the flour to be lifted direct from the wagons to the store. Ample stabling and van accommodation was provided at the end of the building, and the precaution was taken to secure sufficient land to render any future extensions easy. The interior walls were lined throughout with white glazed brick, and everything that skill could devise was done to make the new building a model bakery. The total cost of the new building and equipment was about £17,000, and all the work of erection was carried out by the Society’s own workmen, while the Society could congratulate itself on the fact that no accident of any sort involving danger to life or limb took place during its erection.

Only eight ovens were erected at first, as it was thought that the production from these would meet the requirements of the societies in the district. Since then, however, further extensions have taken place. The first eight ovens erected were gas fired, but at the June 1904 quarterly meeting the directors in their report had to admit that the results had not been what were expected, and it was possible that some change might have to be made. The draw-plate ovens would be a distinct improvement if they could be made as steady and reliable as were the Scotch ovens, and Scottish engineers were directing their attention to this, the report stated. The difficulty with one section of the ovens continued, however, and before long it was decided to abandon gas-firing and fire by coke.

EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE
1. JOHN SIMPSON.
2. ALEXANDER BUCHANAN.
3. JOHN B. WALKER.
4. JOHN TOWART, Secretary.
5. JOHN YOUNG, Chairman.
6. JAMES H. FORSYTH, Treasurer.
7. JOHN URQUHART.
8. MARY KENNEDY.
9. HUGH MURDOCH.

PRIZE SILVER BAND
H. A. MELLOR, Bandmaster. WILLIAM MILLER, President. JAMES THOMSON, Secretary.