On another front, J.A. Jordan and Sons emerged as a formidable contender in the enamel sign domain.
Originating in the West Midlands around 1870, Jordan initially dabbled in the production of frying pans but didn’t stop there.
They diversified and experimented, soon producing everything from wrought iron hollowware and high-end bicycles to their now-treasured enamel signs. By 1893, they employed over 200 workers in their 1.5 acre network of factories, warehouses and shops known as the Beehive Works.
However, amid the company’s prosperity, challenges lurked for Jordan. One unfortunate employee’s severe lead poisoning sparked a parliamentary inquiry into the enamel industry’s labour conditions.
Despite the occasional setback, by the 1920s, J.A. Jordan and Sons had pivoted primarily to enamel sign manufacturing, carving a niche for themselves with commissions from nationally recognised brands. Over the years, they built new production facilities, recruited skilled artists and developed different sign types.
J.A. Jordan and Sons left an indelible mark on the industry, collaborating with renowned names like Coca-Cola and national transport authorities like British Rail.