It’s Tata for Brunner Mond
THE Brunner Mond name, prominent in the British chemicals industry for more than 130 years, has finally been consigned to the history books by its owner Tata.
Brunner Mond was established in Northwich, Cheshire, by John Brunner and Ludwig Mond in 1873 to produce soda ash. It later became part of ICI but the name returned in the 1990s after the soda ash businesses were demerged.
India’s Tata Group, which produces soda ash through its Tata Chemicals subsidiary, bought the business in 2006 but has only now decided to rebrand it as Tata Chemicals Europe.
In a statement Tata Chemicals’ chief financial officer PK Ghose, said: “There are four different businesses within Tata Chemicals and all of them have changed their name which is a reflection of a good and close working relationship. Now is the right time to have one name and to be recognised as one business.”
Martin Ashcroft, managing director of Tata Chemicals Europe said: “This is the start of a new era for us. We are extremely proud of adopting the Tata name and I am in no doubt that we will benefit from the strength that comes from being part of a global network.
“Tata Chemicals has been extremely supportive and there is a long-term vision for the business and our employees. This has included a multi-million pound investment programme and the acquisition of British Salt in Middlewich at the end of 2010 which opens new opportunities for both companies.”
Soda ash, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is used in a range of applications from the manufacture of glass, detergents and biscuits to the production of life-saving dialysis treatments and the purification of drinking water.
In the UK the Tata Group also owns Tata Steel (formerly Corus), Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Global Beverages (Tetley Tea). The group employs 41,000 people in this country.
