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South Yorkshire Businesses – Thomas Hill Ltd

January 1968

South Yorkshire Times January 20, 1968

South Yorkshire Business Review

Thomas Hill Ltd

Present orders at the  Kilnhurst Vanguard factory of Thomas Hill (Rotherham) Ltd., are enough to keen the firm at maximum capacity for the next five months, and more orders are expected within the next six weeks, a company spokesman said this week.

The building of small extension to the present large premises could eventually lead to an expansion in manpower, although there are no definite plans to do so at present.

Since 1963, when Rolls-Royce Ltd. acquired a controlling interest in the company, the business has been concentrated on the development of new industrial locomotive production at Kilnhurst, and the expansion of the railway traction department of the Rolls Royce works.

Further development in rail traction business was made by the acquisition of the Yorkshire Engine Company, and production of locomotives under the trade name of “Vanguard” has continued to increase. Locomotives of up to 50 tons weight and 340 h.p. have been built, and a number fitted with special flame-proofing equipment for operation in oil refineries and chemical works.

Considerable work in loco design has also been carried out, and the company have taken out patent rights on special control equipment to enable efficient operation of locomotives in tandem. Contracts are now in hand for oil refineries, nationalised industries and large industrial users.