THE FIFTIES
How we fared as a nation and dealt with the
aftermath of World War II can be studied today
via the internet. More than 60 years ago,
however, when few homes had a television and
many had no bathroom and only an outside
lavatory, the concept of the World Wide Web
would have been met with incredulity.
Slowly but surely post-War gloom gave
way to optimism as life in Britain eased and
food rationing ended. Houses were being built
and so were roads. Infrastructure was needed,
giving the construction industry a boost. Large
contractors expanded and diversified, making
competition fierce for medium and smaller
contractors.
Fred Pilkington’s pre-War civil engineering
and construction business began under the
name of Fred Pilkington and Son. The post-War years brought
changes that would drive businesses to change in one way or
another if they were to continue. Fred’s son Geoffrey persuaded
his father that the future lay in renting vibratory rollers because of
their potential in the construction industry. Vibratory rollers were
significantly lighter than traditional deadweight rollers, cheaper
to run, and could compact a range of materials much more
satisfactorily. Fred acted on his son’s advice and in 1954 Vibratory
Roller and Plant Hire (Northern) Limited was established.
8
(above & right)
Fred Pilkington,
Public Works Contractor.
New water main,
Fewston, North Yorkshire
BRITAIN IN THE 1950s WAS SEEN AS A POWERFUL TRADING NATION.
MANUFACTURING ACCOUNTED FOR 40% OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT, AND A THIRD
OF NATIONAL OUTPUT. THE AVERAGE WORKING WEEK WAS 48 HOURS. MANUAL
EMPLOYMENT IN HEAVY MANUFACTURING AND COAL MINING PREVAILED BUT,
IN THE POST-WAR YEARS, CONSTRUCTION WAS THE PRIORITY INDUSTRY WITH AN
INTENSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME INSTITUTED BY THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT.
