Murex (company)
Encyclopedia
Murex Limited was a leading British
provider of services to metallurgists, smelters and refiners, and welders. At its peak it was a member of the FT 30 index of leading stocks on the London Stock Exchange
.
manufacturer. The company moved to Rainham
in Essex
in 1917.
In the 1930s Murex made large quantities of electrodes at their factory at Waltham Cross
and many ships including HMS Ark Royal
and Queen Elizabeth 2 were welded using Murex equipment.
The company's business was sustained by a high level of activity during World War II
but when the war ended its profits showed a substantial reduction.
It fell out of the FT 30 index in 1967 when its share price declined and it was replaced by Beechams.
Welding equipment made by Murex continues to become available for sale from time to time.
the rights to the Murex brand were sold to ESAB
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
provider of services to metallurgists, smelters and refiners, and welders. At its peak it was a member of the FT 30 index of leading stocks on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
.
History
Murex was founded in 1909 as an ironfounder and ferroalloyFerroalloy
Ferroalloy refers to various alloys of iron with a high proportion of one or more other element, manganese or silicon for example. It is used in the production of steels and alloys as a raw material.The main ferroalloys are:*FeAl – ferroaluminum...
manufacturer. The company moved to Rainham
Rainham, London
Rainham is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan and is surrounded by a residential area, which has grown from the historic village,...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
in 1917.
In the 1930s Murex made large quantities of electrodes at their factory at Waltham Cross
Waltham Cross
Waltham Cross is the most southeasterly town in Hertfordshire, England. It is 12 miles from the City of London and immediately north of the M25 motorway, forming part of the Greater London Urban Area and London commuter belt. Part of Waltham Cross is located within Greater London.-Geography:It is...
and many ships including HMS Ark Royal
HMS Ark Royal (91)
HMS Ark Royal was an aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy that served during the Second World War.Designed in 1934 to fit the restrictions of the Washington Naval Treaty, Ark Royal was built by Cammell Laird and Company, Ltd. at Birkenhead, England, and completed in November 1938. Her design...
and Queen Elizabeth 2 were welded using Murex equipment.
The company's business was sustained by a high level of activity during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
but when the war ended its profits showed a substantial reduction.
It fell out of the FT 30 index in 1967 when its share price declined and it was replaced by Beechams.
Welding equipment made by Murex continues to become available for sale from time to time.
Demise of the business
Murex was acquired by BOC Group in 1967. In the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the rights to the Murex brand were sold to ESAB
ESAB
ESAB, Elektriska Svetsnings-Aktiebolaget , is a Swedish industrial company.-History:The Company was founded by Oscar Kjellberg, who pioneered the development of manual metal arc welding electrodes, in Gothenburg in 1904...
.