Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon, known as Gilkes, is an English hydropower engineering company based in Kendal, Cumbria, founded in 1853.[1][2]

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon
IndustryHydropower engineering
PredecessorsWilliamsons Brothers
Gilbert Gilkes & Co.
James Gordon & Co.
Founded1853
FounderGilbert Gilkes
Headquarters
Kendal
,
England
Key people
Charles Crewdson (chairman)
Andy Poole (CEO)
ProductsTurgo turbine etc
SubsidiariesGilkes Energy
Websitewww.gilkes.com

The company makes hydropower turbines and engine cooling pumps. One of the company's notable products is the Turgo turbine, invented in 1919 by Eric Crewdson whose grandson Charles Crewdson OBE is, as of 2021 the company chairman.[3]

History

In 1853 two brothers named Williamson established a company at Canal Head, Kendal.[4] The first turbine they built in 1856 was installed at Holmescales Farm at Old Hutton and powered farm machinery there for more than a century. This, the "Williamson Bros Vortex Turbine No. 1", survives and is in the collection of Lakeland Arts; it was part of the Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry in Kendal, as of January 2021 closed during redevelopment of Abbot Hall.[2][5]

In 1881 Gilbert Gilkes (1845-1924) bought Williamson Brothers, and remained the company chairman until 1920,[6][7] when he was succeeded by his nephew Norman Forster Wilson (born 1869).[8]

In 1932 the company acquired James Gordon & Co, and became Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon.[9]

A preserved Gilkes turbine from the former Portwood mill near Stockport, now a supermarket site

Gilkes Energy was formed as a subsidiary in 2010 and works in hydropower project development.[10][11]

Recognition

The company holds a Royal warrant as "Water Turbine Engineers" to Elizabeth II.[12] In 2010 the company was awarded the The Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade (Export).[13]

References
  1. "Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd". Kendal Town. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  2. "Williamson Brothers Vortex Turbine Number One". Lakeland Arts: Farming. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. Gilkes Turgo Impulse Hydro Turbine (PDF). Gilkes. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  4. "Williamson Brothers". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Graces Guide. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  5. "BBC - A History of the World - Object : Williamson Bros Vortex Turbine No. 1". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC & British Museum. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  6. "Gilbert Gilkes". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Graces Guide. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  7. "Gilbert Gilkes and Co". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Graces Guide. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  8. "Norman Forster Wilson". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Graces Guide. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  9. "Our Heritage". Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  10. "Home page". www.gilkesenergy.com. Gilkes Energy. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  11. "Meet The Board: Charles Crewdson". British Hydro Association. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  12. "Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd". www.royalwarrant.org. Royal Warrant Holders Association. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  13. "Winners List 2010" (PDF). The Queens Award for Enterprise. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
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