METAL BOX COMPANY The Metal Box Company, as manufacturers of
the con- tainer which the canning industry uses, has an important role to play in the economics of national defence. Mr. F. N. Hepworth, the chairman, showed at the meeting last Friday how fully the company is adjusting itself to fill that role. They have 21 factories spread over the country, and plans have already been made to provide alternative sources of manufacture for the main products so as to minimise the effects of dislocation. The billeting of personnel, rearrange- ment of transport and provision of stocks have engaged their attention. Measures have also been taken to maintain the position of the company's overseas organisations, and much research work has been carried out to provide substitute materials in war-time. Plants for the production of containers made partly of tin-plate and partly of other substances have been increased.
It is not surprising to find from Mr. Hepworth's speech that the company expects to be fully engaged whatever the future holds in store. If it is to be normal times, then the business depends on the consuming power of the public which should reflect the increase of prosperity. In times of emergency, on the other hand, experience has shown that great demands are made upon the company's manufacturing capacity. The company has recently announced the issue of one new Li share at £2 IOS. to existing shareholders for each £7 of stock now held. The issue, Mr. Hepworth showed, is to increase working capital and finance extra trading stocks.
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