Vickers Ruwolt Engineering, Burnley C.1967
Fabulous Wolfgang Sievers photo showing a massive gear-wheel cast and machined at Vickers Ruwolt Engineering.
BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY.
In 1902, Charles Ernest Ruwolt opened an iron foundry in Wangaratta, in Victoria’s north east. In 1914, he transferred the business to Victoria Street Burnley and concentrated on heavy industrial work: hydraulic presses, mining crushers and the like.
By 1938 it was one of the largest engineering companies in Australia, occupying 20 acres. During World War II the company reorganised to manufacture armaments. By then, the company employed 2000 workers and manufactured everything from trench mortars to howitzers.
Ruwalt died in 1946 and two years later his business was acquired by Vickers (UK). It continued as Vickers Ruwolt. Photo: Wolfgang Sievers