John Cockerill (company, 1825–1955)
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John Cockerill & Cie. was a Belgian iron, steel, and manufacturing company based at Seraing in Liège Province. It was founded in 1825 by English-born industrialist John Cockerill.[1]
Industry | Heavy industry |
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Founded | 1825 (incorporated)[1] |
Founder | John Cockerill |
Fate | Bought by the state in 1842 |
Successors | 1842: SA John Cockerill 1955: SA Cockerill-Ougrée |
Headquarters | , Belgium |
John Cockerill, a son of British entrepreneur William Cockerill, owned the company, and it was known as John Cockerill & Cie. However, John Cockerill died in Warsaw in 1840 after a business trip to Russia. Following his death, the company became state owned, and in 1842, it became known as the Société anonyme pour l'exploitation des établissements de John Cockerill.[note 1][2][3]
The company was one of the major iron and steel producers in western Europe throughout its existence. It was a significant producer of derived products, including rail and railway locomotives, iron production equipment, and other large-scale iron and steel constructions.
In 1955, the company merged with Ougrée-Marihaye to form SA Cockerill-Ougrée. In 1981, it merged with Hainaut-Sambre to form Cockerill-Sambre.