Berger Jenson and Nicholson, 1911-1938

Component identifier:

Series D/B/BER

Extent:

3 items

Content Summary:

Paint makers. Records, 1783-1986.

Lewis Steingenberger said to come to London from Frankfurt, Germany in 1760 as a 19 year old colourchemist to manufacture Prussian Blue, changing his name to Lewis Berger.The business expanded and in 1780 he moved from Shadwell, East London, to Homerton. He was then offering 12 dry pigment colours and within 7 years another seven. Three of his four sons also entered the business.

In 1879 the firm was turned into a limited company as Lewis Berger and Sons Ltd. But the company was badly managed and shareholders continually complained about the company's financial affairs. Trade however expanded - to India, Australia and America. Eventually, in 1905, the company was sold to Cottingham of Sherwin Williams Co. of America, Paint Manufacturers, and a new American board was appointed.

A small trading depot had been established in Sydney by the early 20th century, then in 1911 a separate company was established and a new factory built in 1910 at Rhodes, N.S.W. The company later also established subsidiaries in Victoria, 1929 and New Zealand in 1923.

In 1960 the company merged with Jenson and Nicholson Ltd. to form Berger, Jenson and Nicholson. Jenson and Nicholson had been established in 1821 as coach paint manufacturers, and they had several overseas subsidiaries. Operations at Homerton were run down and the works closed in 1960.

In 1970 Berger, Jensen and Nicholson were taken over by Hoechst AG of Frankfurt, Lewis Steingenberger's home town. They became the holding company of the whole Berger group which now manufactured and distributed paint, resins, wood preservatives, industrial sealants, household chemicals and wallcoverings. In 1977 there were 35 companies and divisions running 46 factories in 25 countries, employing 10,000 people.

In 1988 Berger, Jenson and Nicholson was sold by Hoechst AG to Williams holdings and Jenson and Nicholson was re-established as a private company at Dagenham.

Contents

Access and use