Steel Developments Limited Collection

BS/SDL/1. Corporate Records
BS/SDL/2. Administration Records
BS/SDL/3. Financial and Accounting Records
BS/SDL/4. Operational Records

The company began trading under the name The Talbot Continuous Steel Process Limited c. 1900, created to provide works and plant at which to produce steel via the Continuous Steel Process, a process invented by Benjamin Talbot. Land was acquired by the company at Cargo Fleet, Middlebrough and the Ormesby Rolling Mills were built (part of the works being leased to the Ormesby Rolling Mills Limited, another company set up by Benjamin Talbot). In 1913 following changes in policy and financial reconstruction the company was renamed Steel Developments Limited, and a sound financial standing with less capital was achieved. From this point forwards the company became more concerned with investing in steel related undertakings rather than producing steel itself.

In 1923 it was agreed to sell the Ormesby Rolling Mills to the tenants, Ormesby Rolling Mills Ltd., who desired to both invest in and extend the works. A final price of £63,000 was agreed, payable in 8% Debentures in the Ormesby Rolling Mills Ltd with the interest due on these being guaranteed by Cargo Fleet Iron Company Limited.

By 1929, in addition to the Debentures held in the Ormesby company, Steel Developments also held shares in South Durham Steel and Iron Co. Ltd., Weardale Steel Coal and Coke Co. Ltd., Cargo Fleet Iron Co. Ltd. and the East Coast Steel Corporation, all ensuring the regular payment of dividends to shareholders. After the liquidation of the East Coast Steel Corporation the company received shares in Cochranes and Co. Ltd as payment pro rat for their holding in East Coast company.

In 1947 the Managing Director and figurehead in the company Benjamin Talbot died, and within two years it was decided that the company should enter in voluntarily liquidation.