Falk Stadelmann and Company Limited , manufacturers of heating and lighting equipment x Falks Limited x Falk Industries Limited

Falk Stadelmann and Company Limited , manufacturers of heating and lighting equipment x Falks Limited x Falk Industries Limited

The company is described in the Post Office Directory of 1888 as glass manufacturers and importers of gas fittings, paraffin lamps, glasses, chimneys, gasburners. It was established in 1881 and was incorporated as a limited company in 1887. Around 1880, Falk Stadelmann immigrated to London from Hochberg, Germany. The directors of the company were Mr S. Guiterman (Chairman), Salomon Falk (Managing Director), and Bernhardt Thurnauer (permanent Director). It was a private company in 1908. By 1914, the company (with around 900 employees) was a manufacturer of all material associated with lighting and heating, with their specialities being oil lamps, gas mantles and electric lamps. By 1920, it became one of the largest oils companies in Britain. The German 'Veritas' trademark was made available to Falk Stadelmann in London, and during the inter-war years it became a major brand (the company marketed all kinds of wick and candle lamp). In 1928, it was reverted to a public company. By 1930, it employed around 3,000 people.

The company suffered poor trading years in the late 1960s, causing it to go into decline. It was taken over by Jessel Investments in the 1960s, and Jessel Securities acquired Falks Industries (including its subsidiaries Stoves Limited and Falks Veritas) in 1970. The company changed its name to Falks Limited in 1962 and to Falks Industries Limited in 1970. Subsidiary companies included Falks Heating Limited and Falks (N.Z.) Limited (until 1951 known as Welsbach Light Company of Australasia Limited).

By the 1960s and 70s, the company manufactured incandescent gas mantles, electric cables, electric bells and bell indicators, neon luminous cable signs, lighting fixtures, industrial light reflectors, heating and cooking appliances for gas, and electricity and petroleum.

Addresses:

1887- 1888 Mar: 43 Farringdon Road; 1888-1890: 68A Cowcross Street Smithfield (Oil trade counter moved to Cowcross Street/ Gas department, offices, showroom, stock rooms and warehouse remains at 43 Farringdon Road); 1890-?: 83-93 Farringdon Road; 1970: 16 Finsbury Circus (when Jessel Securities take over).