This article was published in the very first Fison, Packard & Prentice
Journal – a company magazine that continued into the latter part of the
20th Century. The companies had amalgamated the previous year.
Journal – a company magazine that continued into the latter part of the
20th Century. The companies had amalgamated the previous year.
by
Wm. R. WOLTON
t was in the year 1847 that Mr. Joseph Fison began to lay the foundation of what ultimately became the firm of Joseph Fison Co,, Ltd., by grinding Suffolk Coprolites in the mill stones of an old Flour Mill and mixing them with Sulphuric Acid in a tub to make his first Superphosphate to be used for experimental purposes on plants and farm crops in the neighbourhood of Ipswich. “Ipswich may be described as the birthplace of Chemical Manures” was a statement which was commonly used in literature relating to fertilizers fifty years ago, and it is interesting today to look back and see how the business has progressed. Difficulties had to be faced – serious difficulties in manufacturing acid on a commercial basis but meeting and overcoming these difficulties was child’s play compared to the breaking down of the prejudice of farmers to anything chemical or artificial which was to take the place of “muck”. But Mr Joseph Fison was equal to his task, and after years of perseverance and steady progress he was able, in1858, to secure a site near the Railway and on the River Gipping at Bramford and there start the foundations of the Eastern Union Chemical Works. Some years later Mr Fison’s two sons James Oliver and Mr Herbert Fison, came into the business and after their Father’s death in 1878, carried it on and extended it so largely by establishing connections abroad, that at the time of the outbreak of the Great war the export trade in “Specials” was as large as the Home Trade. In these extensions they were assisted by their youngest brother, Mr Charles E. Fison, who we regret to say died in 1911.The South African business which has been steadily increasing since the War is now under the management of Mr John R. G. Fison, the youngest son of our former Chairman, Mr James 0. Fison. It was not customary in the old days to use machinery for handling Fertilizers – it was considered impossible to deal with them mechanically because of their sticky condition – everything was done by hand, except the grinding of phosphate and the pumping of Acid by means of compressed air. Even as late as the year 1899 twelve horse power was the total available in the works. but since that date no money has been spared in making the Works thoroughly efficient both as regards machinery, with engines up to 500 H.P. and suitable buildings. As to the buildings, it may be said that they are sufficiently large to hold at any given date two-thirds or the year’s output which is the secret of Fisons’ perfect condition. It was on the question of good condition that Mr Herbert Fison was adamant and no matter how much a customer wanted delivery of his order, he had to wait till good condition was assured, even at the risk of the order being cancelled. All these extensions both of buildings and machinery were carried out under the superintendence of the late Mr William Firman, whose practical knowledge of engineering and whose capability as a draughtsman made it possible for the Firm to carry out these enormous extensions without any outside help, and the Eastern Union Chemical Works today are a monument to William Firman’s fifty years’ service with the Firm.In 1881 we had one “traveller” working away from home and in Ireland, with four representatives attending local markets, but Mr Herbert Fison (who we are glad to say is still with us at eighty-three years of age) in those days took an active interest in the selling side as well as in the manufacturing side of the business, and he established a considerable trade in the Channel Islands and at various points around the coast, especially in the South West of England. In 1929 we had eighteen direct representatives in the Home Market and five abroad Great was our delight when in 1913 we welcomed Mr Lorimer Fison, the Chairman’s eldest son. into the business. After a very successful school career at Charterhouse, followed by four years at Oxford University, Mr Lorimer quickly made his presence felt in the business and everyone was attracted by his bright open face, and struck by his quick business ability. But alas! alas! the War claimed him as one of its heroes and our brightest hopes were dashed to the ground. The death of our Chairman, Mr James Oliver Fison in 1920 was a great loss to the firm. He was a quiet, dignified gentleman, kindness itself, one who never spoke an angry word, but one who carried everything before him by a commanding presence. Fortunately, however, soon after the war our Board was to be strengthened by the addition of Mr F. G. C. Fison and Mr P. T. Chevallier, and we are thankful that they remain with us and comment would be out of place since they joined us it is just one story of success and progress and we think no one will be offended if we say that it was entirely through their good business acumen that the huge difficulties which confronted us at the proposed amalgamation were overcome and we are all happy that it is now an accomplished fact – the tubful has become……….?