88 Years of E H Bentall & Co Heybridge,  1934 vs 2022.

The fortunes of the company took a disasterous turn at the end of the great war,  Bentalls were in for a difficult time and had to start almost all over again. Sales had fallen to an unprecedented low and confidence in Bentalls had taken a severe blow.

In 1933, E. E. Bentall purchased the ordinary shares of the company from the receivers of A.G.E. Ltd with the help of a little capital borrowed from friends and began the task of rebuilding the company. Charles Bentall became managing director with his father as chairman.

Some years of hard work were ahead but with the help of loyal staff who were prepared to work for reduced wages the business showed yearly improvements and the company’s debts were finally paid. Bentalls was prospering once more. The revived company played an important role in the second world war. Production set up for the manufacture of small machine parts for the aircraft manufactured by Handley-Page. The works went on to also produce complete assemblies such as tail fins and bomb floor for the new Halifax bombers and before the war ended some one thousand men and women were employed in the works. Also, because of the difficulty in importing food stuffs during the war years, output of agricultural machinery doubled to meet demand.

In 1946 E.H.Bentall & Co was recognised as a public company with Charles Bentall as Chairman. It continued to produce increasing volumes of agricultural machinery and valves for combustion engines. Although trade with the coffee plantations had suffered during the war the business was recaptured and rose six fold. Bentall technicians travelled to many countries advising on mechanised coffee processing

In 1961 the company was taken over by the Acrow group of companies which went into receivership in 1984. The business founded nearly 180 years before closed in Heybridge.


Taken with the Mini 3 Pro.

          [See My Other Content...]

Nice comparison.
Are they shut down now?

Montfrooij Posted at 12-19 01:42
Nice comparison.
Are they shut down now?

The building is now used by other companies.  

DAFlys Posted at 12-19 01:43
The building is now used by other companies.

Ah ok, repurposed.
At least they kept the building.

DAFlys Posted at 12-19 01:12
[view_image]

Excellent comparison DA.    Lots of difference in those two shots.

Quite the history behind the Bentall family and company.  Just goes to show that perseverance paid off in the long run.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 12-19 03:17
Excellent comparison DA.    Lots of difference in those two shots.

Quite the history behind the Bentall family and company.  Just goes to show that perseverance paid off in the long run.

Thanks DT.  Yes that building is quite a local landmark there.

DAFlys Posted at 12-19 03:51
Thanks DT.  Yes that building is quite a local landmark there.

My pleasure DA.  

Hopefully, they maintain it so it can be around for another century.  

Expanded quite a bit but still used the main building - nice.

DAFlys Posted at 12-19 01:12
[view_image]

That's a pretty good comparison.

Depp Posted at 12-19 05:22
Expanded quite a bit but still used the main building - nice.

Thanks Depp.

Blériot53 Posted at 12-19 07:08
That's a pretty good comparison.

Cheers Mr B.  It’s not quite right but good enough I thought.  

DAFlys Posted at 12-19 07:19
Cheers Mr B.  It’s not quite right but good enough I thought.

Just a slightly different angle, is all. Maybe your best yet

Blériot53 Posted at 12-19 07:53
Just a slightly different angle, is all. Maybe your best yet

I need to dig out the first one I ever did.  I always thought that was the best one.  

DAFlys Posted at 12-19 08:06
I need to dig out the first one I ever did.  I always thought that was the best one.

It would be something to compare.

Blériot53 Posted at 12-19 11:00
It would be something to compare.

This was the first one I did,  it was actually taken from a photo on a wall in the council offices rather than that other website.

DAFlys Posted at 12-20 00:42
This was the first one I did,  it was actually taken from a photo on a wall in the council offices rather than that other website.

[view_image]

I maybe never saw that one before. It's pretty spot on too.

Blériot53 Posted at 12-20 00:51
I maybe never saw that one before. It's pretty spot on too.

The angle is a little off but I do wonder if old camera lens are distorting some of the original images a little too.

DAFlys Posted at 12-20 01:20
The angle is a little off but I do wonder if old camera lens are distorting some of the original images a little too.

Hard to tell isn't it

Blériot53 Posted at 12-20 01:24
Hard to tell isn't it

It is,  but at least I'm fairly confident all the original shots were taken at much higher altitude.

DAFlys Posted at 12-20 01:25
It is,  but at least I'm fairly confident all the original shots were taken at much higher altitude.

That is pretty certain

This is a brill idea flys.  Where do you get the old shots?

Prezzodrone Posted at 1-18 11:53
This is a brill idea flys.  Where do you get the old shots?

You can get some from https://britainfromabove.org.uk

DAFlys Posted at 1-19 01:45
You can get some from https://britainfromabove.org.uk

Thx ill check it out.  

Prezzodrone Posted at 1-19 11:02
Thx ill check it out.

You're very welcome.

DAFlys Posted at 2022-12-19 01:12
[view_image]

Thanks DA' for the history of the company along with the photos, the historical perspective is always appreciated and adds to the "before and after photos."

Cacike47 Posted at 1-21 18:25
Thanks DA' for the history of the company along with the photos, the historical perspective is always appreciated and adds to the "before and after photos."

Cheers Cacike47,  that makes it more worthwhile for me too.

DAFlys Posted at 1-20 01:07
You're very welcome.

Nice bit of history

Codgerzh2 Posted at 8-12 08:29
Nice bit of history

Cheers Codgerzh2,  I really enjoy the old vs now shots.