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The British Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Association: Struggle for Survival 1870‒1930

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  • Moss Michael

    (Jahrbuch für Wirtschaftsgeschichte – Redaktion, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Historisches Institut, Lehrstuhl für Wirtschafts- und Unternehmensgeschichte, D-44780BochumGermany)

Abstract

Most firms in the British fertiliser industry of the 19th century were small and combined other activities, such as seed merchants, millers, manufacturers of sulphuric acid and in one case explosives. In the heyday of high farming there was almost no co-operation and no attempt to achieve economy of scale through merger and amalgamation. In 1875 just before the onset of the depression the Chemical Manure Manufacturers’ Association was formed to fix prices and address the challenges posed by proposed Government regulation of what was after all a noxious industry. This story mirrors much of British industry, where implicit (price-fixing) cartels failed and individual firms rejected collaboration in favour of what seems an irrational commitment to a free market ideology that was transparently misplaced.

Suggested Citation

  • Moss Michael, 2021. "The British Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Association: Struggle for Survival 1870‒1930," Jahrbuch für Wirtschaftsgeschichte / Economic History Yearbook, De Gruyter, vol. 62(1), pages 71-98, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:jbwige:v:62:y:2021:i:1:p:71-98:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/jbwg-2021-0004
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    Keywords

    Superphosphates; Fertilizer Trade; United Kingdom; Edward Packard; Superphosphate; Düngemittelhandel; Vereinigtes Königreich;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N - Economic History
    • N - Economic History
    • N - Economic History
    • N - Economic History
    • N - Economic History
    • N - Economic History

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