Coventry Chain Co. Ltd., of Coventry, chain manufacturers (CC)

The company originated in the cycle chain business founded by Alick Sargeant Hill in Dale Street, Coventry, in 1896. The Coventry Chain Co. Ltd. was registered as a private limited company in 1902 and re-formed as a public one in 1907. Plans for new premises at Spon End, Coventry, were begun in 1907. A new French selling venture, French Chains Ltd., was set up in 1919 (this was liquidated after the merger with Renolds) and a Belgian subsidiary and an American undertaking were established in 1926. The company merged with Hans Renold Ltd. in 1930. In addition to cycle chains, the company manufactured cycle free wheels. It also manufactured tank track chains during the First World War.

Memoranda and articles of association, from 1907; minutes of Board of Directors and Shareholders, 1902-1935 (including minutes of Coventry Repetition Co., 1909-1925); Guard Book, 1931-1935 (containing copies of balance sheets, minutes, reports, circulars etc.); home representation agreement with Hans Renold Ltd., 1931.

Private ledgers, 1910-1931 (4 volumes); miscellaneous financial papers, 1915-1930; payroll binders, 1921-1926 (2 binders); monthly export figures, by value, by country, 1921-1931; annual accounts, 1922-1932; overseas sales analysis and foreign allocations, 1923-1924.

Production Engineer's inventories: machines, circa 1907-1934 (2 volumes); chain driving patent specifications, 1911-1928; inventory, 1919, showing pre- and post-war valuations; summary of parts on order and stock in works, including chains ordered and assembled in works, 1924-1932; instructions to works foremen, circa 1925.

Details of tenancy agreements etc. relating to the company and Alick Sargeant Hill's business, 1896-1908; papers relating to the development of the company 1907-1927, including increases in capital and square footage; fire insurance details (includes plans), circa 1916 (1 volume).

Photographs: first Motor Exhibition, London, 1899 and tool room;

newspaper-cuttings relating to advertising,1907; publications, 1914-1931; House Magazine, 1919, including reminiscences of 1884-1907 period, by Alick Hill; company sales bulletin 'The Coventry Viewpoint', 1928-1930; articles, notes, etc. on history of firm, pre-1940.