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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Bach, T., and Co

page 367

Bach, T., and Co. (T. Bach and R. Poulgrain), Boilermakers, Vulcan Ironworks, Albert Street, Auckland. The founders and present proprietors of the Vulcan Ironworks are Messrs T. Bach and R. Poulgrain. Business was first started in 1889, in Hobson Street, and the varied and splendid experiences which Mr. Bach had had in Birmingham, and the insight which both partners had obtained whilst occupying important positions in Messrs Fraser and Tinne's well-known foundry, enabled them almost at once to advance, and win for their works a reputation for first-class workmanship. Trade expanded so rapidly that Messrs Bach and Co. were obliged to obtain more commodious premises in Albert Street, where they are at present established. Workshops were then erected, and every convenience provided to cope with the ever extending connection. The main work and erecting shop is 50 feet by 38 feet, and contains the most modern machinery adapted for the heavy class of ironwork undertaken by the firm. Other shops also adjoin, where the same activity prevails—a busy staff giving blow for blow on the ringing iron. The recent mining boom in Auckland, disappointing as it was to the community as a whole, had one good effect in showing the people the resources possessed by the local engineers and ironfounders. Work of an extremely complicated character was executed on the goldfields, with promptitude and at reasonable prices. In this work, which redounded so much to the credit of the foundries, Messrs Bach and Co. participated. For the Whangamata Gold Corporation they manufactured its immense iron piping, and there is scarcely a large mining company for which they have not done jobs requiring skill and ingenuity. They manufactured the cyanide vats for the New Zealand Talisman Gold Mining Company, and several Government contracts for making iron trucks have been carried out by them with complete satisfaction to the engineer in charge. With Messrs Bach and Co. the manufacture of iron girders is a specialty, and the well-built D.S.C. warehouse and the Great Northern Company's brewery tower were “girdered” by them. In shipping repair work they are well to the fore. Frequently their staff is engaged night and day in effecting repairs to the Union Steamship Company's steamers, and a considerable portion of the iron fittings made locally for the Company's steamers is supplied from the Vulcan Ironworks. Every class of boiler-manufacturing is undertaken by Messrs Bach and Co., and they have done much in this department of the iron industry to render New Zealand independent of the Old Country and Australia. The firm keeps in constant employment upwards of thirty competent workmen.

Hanna, photo. Mr. A. A. Piesse. Mr. T. Bach. Mr. R. Poulgrain.

Hanna, photo. Mr. A. A. Piesse. Mr. T. Bach. Mr. R. Poulgrain.