Standard Fireworks is a former British-based firework company, now a brand name of Chinese firm
Black Cat Fireworks
Li & Fung Limited is a Bermuda-incorporated, Hong Kong-based supply chain manager. In 2020, it was reportedly struggling to turn its century-old business around for years.
On 13 February 2017, it was removed from the blue chip index: Hang Seng ...
.
History
Standard's history began in 1891, when it was founded by James Greenhalgh in
Huddersfield.
Due to expansion, in 1910 the firm moved to its current site in
Crosland Hill where, during the
First and
Second World Wars, the company produced munitions for the war effort.
In 1959 the company was floated on the
Stock Market
A stock market, equity market, or share market is the aggregation of buyers and sellers of stocks (also called shares), which represent ownership claims on businesses; these may include ''securities'' listed on a public stock exchange, as ...
and a period of domination in the UK fireworks industry began, with many retailers having to wait several years for an account with the company. In 1988 Standard bought
Brocks Fireworks Ltd. This led to all firework activity being transferred to the Huddersfield site making Standard one of the largest employers in the Yorkshire region, with over 500 workers.
In 1998 Standard went into
receivership
In law, receivership is a situation in which an institution or enterprise is held by a receiver—a person "placed in the custodial responsibility for the property of others, including tangible and intangible assets and rights"—especially in c ...
. They were purchased by China-based Black Cat Fireworks, bringing an end to production in the UK. The Standard brand is now one of several trading names of
Black Cat
A black cat is a domestic cat with black fur that may be a mixed or specific breed, or a common domestic cat of no particular breed. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognizes 22 cat breeds that can come with solid black coats. The Bomba ...
in the UK, with the former Standard offices now the UK headquarters for this operation.
[
A box of Standard Fireworks was at the centre of a story that comedian ]Bob Mortimer
Robert Renwick Mortimer (born 23 May 1959) is an English comedian, podcast presenter and actor. He is known for his work with Vic Reeves as part of their Vic and Bob comedy double act, and more recently the '' Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishin ...
told on the TV show '' Would I Lie To You?''
References
External links
* {{Official website, https://www.blackcatfireworks.co.uk/
British brands
English brands
Fireworks companies
Companies based in Huddersfield
1891 establishments in England
Chemical companies established in 1891
Manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom
British companies established in 1891
Companies disestablished in 1998
1998 disestablishments in England