Intending to create an industrial park for dismantling obsolete warships in 1911, the company leased 6 acres (2.4 ha) of land from Lord Ridley and the Blyth Harbour Commissioners.
[3] In response to requests from customers, the company created a series of "choice Antiques" from the fine old seasoned timber they possessed from Britannia.
[4] The company even had a Ship Timber Department that would create articles manufactured from teakwood taken from obsolete battleships and preserved in "Solignum.
"[5] During World War I, Messrs, Hughes, Bolckow, and Co. Limited experimented with employing women in jobs that were traditionally reserved for men.
[6] In 1921, the company acquired four huge concrete hangars at the Marske-by-the-Sea Aerodrome in North Yorkshire.