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Early in its history, local industry was influenced by the area's
close association with royalty and the demands which it and its
retinues made on the neighbourhood. For instance, the siting close
to Greenwich Palace of the Royal Armoury in the reign of Henry
VIII gave rise to the production of russet steel suits of armour
which became renowned and modern metal products from Greenwich
continue this distinction. Connections with shipbuilding and
armaments, forged in the days of Britain's peril, are perpetuated in
existing industries. Indeed, throughout its annals, the country has
never demanded armaments and accoutrements from Greenwich
industry in vain. Even records covering the last war will clearly
reveal the great contributions made by these industries with special
reference to PLUTO, FIDO and the famous Mulberry harbour.
In the main, industries and sources of employment of the
Borough are to be found in the vicinity of the River Thames which
forms the northern boundary. Chief among the concerns employing
large numbers of workers are: —
Cablemakers, telecommunications and shipbuilding and repair
works; automobile construction, electrical and mechanical engineers;
manufacturers of fire engines; manufacturers of tools, gauges,
scientific instruments, tin boxes and containers, paints and lacquers,
glass bottles, ropes, ships' propellers, cement and road surface
materials; works for the recovery of metal and for the production
of castings and for extruded non-ferrous metals and alloys and
for the manufacture of oxygen and rare gases; printers, both
letterpress and newspapers; furniture makers, joiners and shopfitters;
electric welders and galvanisers and sheet metal workers;
producers of water softening and conditioning chemicals and
horticultural products; works for the manufacture of wireless, aero,
vehicle and typewriter accessories. Besides the usual electricity
generating stations and gas works, there are cement and stone
works, cold meat stores, coal wharves and the inevitable lighterage
companies.
The numbers actually employed vary from a few hundred to
several thousands at the larger factories.
Recent efforts by the Government to encourage rationalisation
of industry and manufacturing processes throughout the country
have met with varying degrees of success. Locally, however, considerable
anxiety has grown and great concern expressed in the
Borough at the probable economic and social consequences of
severe staff reductions in, or the closure of, a number of large
industrial premises in the area. Elimination or contraction of firms
such as A.E.I., U.G.B., Johnson & Phillips, S.E.G.B. (gas processing),
Stone-Wallwork, General Steam Navigation, etc, make