Showing 11 items matching "commonwealth explosives factory"
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Puffing Billy RailwayWagon, Explosives, 1900s
... ...commonwealth explosives factory...18½-inch (460mm) gauge wagon came from the Commonwealth Explosives factory at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s western suburbs. ...explosives factory. It also has water tanks to drip water on the wheels as an added precaution Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Commonwealth Explosives factory, Maribyrnong, Victoria, Australia explosives wagon puffing billy commonwealth explosives factory maribyrnong explosives factory Explosives Wagon - Four wheel wagon with timber frame, copper water tanks and bronze wheels. ...18½-inch (460mm) gauge wagon came from the Commonwealth Explosives factory at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s western suburbs. It has gun-metal wheels, as avoiding sparks was understandably a priority in an explosives factory. It also has water tanks to drip water on the wheels as an added precaution Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Commonwealth Explosives factory, Maribyrnong, Victoria, AustraliaExplosives Wagon - Four wheel wagon with timber frame, copper water tanks and bronze wheels.explosives wagon, puffing billy, commonwealth explosives factory, maribyrnong explosives factory -
Puffing Billy RailwayMaribyrnong Cordite Wagon
... Cordite Wagon - 18½-inch (460mm) gauge wagons came from the Commonwealth Explosives factory at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s western suburbs. ...Puffing Billy Railway 1 old monbulk road Belgrave yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Cordite Wagon - 18½-inch (460mm) gauge wagons came from the Commonwealth Explosives factory at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s western suburbs. ...Cordite Wagon - 18½-inch (460mm) gauge wagons came from the Commonwealth Explosives factory at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Both have gun-metal wheels, as avoiding sparks was understandably a priority in an explosives factory. Both wagons also have water tanks to drip water on the wheels as an added precaution. Cordite, an explosive used in artillery, was manufactured and pressed into thin sheets, which still contained a quantity of acetone solvent from the manufacturing process. The sheets of cordite were laid in racks of perforated trays in the cordite wagons, which were hand-pushed to the cordite drying-house where the trucks were coupled together in rakes and warm air was blown through them. The acetone, being very volatile, was evaporated out of the cordite and recovered to be re-used in the manufacturing process. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Commonwealth Explosives factory, Maribyrnong, Victoria, AustraliaCordite Wagon - Rectangular yellow wagon made of wood and brass with aluminium traysThe number 77 is on the endspuffing billy, wooden wagon, 18½-inch gauge, explosives, maribyrnong cordite factory, maribyrnong explosives factory, puffing billy museum, industrial narrow gauge railway -
Red Cliffs Military MuseumAmmunition Box, 303 MK7 500 Cartridges Ball Ammunition Box, 1952 (exact)
... Explosives W^D 6 six (in White) Opposite side; Tropic Treated Charger clips (inred/pink paint) 500 cartges/.303 Ball/MF cc 9-4-52/ MK7 Wooden Ammunition Box with webbing & metal handles with metal spring lock clip. Canvas hinge painted brown. Webbing carry straps in 3 locations. Box assembled with wood and small nails. Inside box is a wood divider running length ways .Unpainted. .303 MK7 500 Cartridges Ball Ammunition Box Ammunition Box Commonwealth Government Ammunition Factory ...Wooden Ammunition Box with webbing & metal handles with metal spring lock clip. Canvas hinge painted brown. Webbing carry straps in 3 locations. Box assembled with wood and small nails. Inside box is a wood divider running length ways .Unpainted.side 303cc (in White), rectangle with 500 cartges,.303 ball, MF cc 9-4-52 MK7 (in Yellow) Governement Explosives W^D 6 six (in White) Opposite side; Tropic Treated Charger clips (inred/pink paint) 500 cartges/.303 Ball/MF cc 9-4-52/ MK7ammunition, 303, ball, 1952, mk7 -
Sunshine and District Historical Society IncorporatedManual - ICI Engineering Manual - Barium Nitrate Centrifugal Operating Instructions
... Ltd Operating Contractors for the Commonwealth of Australia No 5 Explosives Factory Albion...Brimbank Library, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine 3020. melbourne Deer Park ICIANZ Albion explosives factory Engineering Manual Ex I.C.I. Centrifuge I.C.I. of A. and N.Z. Ltd Operating Contractors for the Commonwealth of Australia No 5 Explosives Factory Albion Grey cover folder with documents inside Manual ICI Engineering Manual - Barium Nitrate Centrifugal Operating Instructions ...Engineering Manual Ex I.C.I. Centrifuge I.C.I. of A. and N.Z. Ltd Operating Contractors for the Commonwealth of Australia No 5 Explosives Factory Albiondeer park, icianz, albion explosives factory -
Sunshine and District Historical Society IncorporatedArchive - Albion Explosive Factory Building Numbers
... Albion No. 5 Explosives Factory was one of Australia’s major WWII munitions sites, built rapidly from 1939–40 in Deer Park and operated by ICIANZ for the Commonwealth. ...Brimbank Library, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine 3020. melbourne Albion No. 5 Explosives Factory was one of Australia’s major WWII munitions sites, built rapidly from 1939–40 in Deer Park and operated by ICIANZ for the Commonwealth. ...Albion No. 5 Explosives Factory was one of Australia’s major WWII munitions sites, built rapidly from 1939–40 in Deer Park and operated by ICIANZ for the Commonwealth. It produced propellants, explosives and later commercial fertilisers. Each building on the site was given an identification number (Note: Over a period of time, some of the building numbers did change) The first numerical of the building number represented the area it as location in. 1 - Administration & Service Area 2 - Propellant Area 3 - Acid Area 4 - T.N.T. Area 5 - Armament Chemicals Area 6 - Propellant Powder Area 7 - Fused Powder Area 8 - R.D.X. Area 9 - Synthetic Ammonia AreaThere were over 400 buildings in the Albion Explosive Factory complex and the only remaining building on the site is building No 745, the Mill House (T.R.F. Powder) located in the former Fused Powder Area. The building is heritage listed and owned by the Brimbank City Council. It is now known as the Black Powder Mill.Albion Explosive Factory Building Numbers (No 5 Explosive Factory)albion no 5 explosive factory, albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park -
Sunshine and District Historical Society IncorporatedPhotograph - ICI (Orica) Deer Park
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Mercer 1440.09 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - The History Of Nobel's Explosive Company Limted 1871 - 1926 1440.10 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Inquest Into The Death Of John O'Shannassy 1st August 1898 Australia Explosive & Chemical Factory Deer Park 1440.11 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Circumstances Attending An Explosion Which Occurred 25th September 1939 At Factory Of Nobles Deer Park 1440.12 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Three Killed At Dear Park 16th January 1923 Australia Explosive & Chemical Factory Deer Park 1440.13 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Contrasts And Continuity Cover 1440.13 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Contrasts And Continuity Map 1440.14 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Industrial Agreement Between Federation Ironworkers Association Of ICIANZ 1959 1440.15 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Commonwealth Government Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong A Brief History Of The Factory 1923 - 1956 1440.16 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Imperial Chemical Industries Australia And New Zealand Rules April 1967 1440.16 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Imperial Chemical Industries Australia And New Zealand Rules November 1958 1440.17- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Plant Protection Handbook 1440.18 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Rifle Explosion Photo 03 1440.18- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Christmas Party Photo 02 1440.18- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Shotgun Cartridge Machine Photo 01 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News August 1949 Vol 1 No 1 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News August 1950 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News December 1949 Vol 1 No 2 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News June 1951 Vol 2 No 3 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1874 - 1899 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1900 - 1928 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1929 - 1939 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1940 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1941 - 1949 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1950 - 1969 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1970 - 1979 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1980 - 1996 1440.21 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Orica Business Overview 2003 1440.22 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Manufacturing Processes & Main Products And Uses 1440.23 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Explosives To Drugs 1996 1440.24 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Deer Park Factory 1440.25 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Hand Written History Notes 1440.26 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Orica Name Change Notification 1997 1440.27 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Deer Park Changes And The Future 1440.28 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Newspaper Articles...Mercer 1440.09 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - The History Of Nobel's Explosive Company Limted 1871 - 1926 1440.10 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Inquest Into The Death Of John O'Shannassy 1st August 1898 Australia Explosive & Chemical Factory Deer Park 1440.11 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Circumstances Attending An Explosion Which Occurred 25th September 1939 At Factory Of Nobles Deer Park 1440.12 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Three Killed At Dear Park 16th January 1923 Australia Explosive & Chemical Factory Deer Park 1440.13 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Contrasts And Continuity Cover 1440.13 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Contrasts And Continuity Map 1440.14 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Industrial Agreement Between Federation Ironworkers Association Of ICIANZ 1959 1440.15 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Commonwealth Government Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong A Brief History Of The Factory 1923 - 1956 1440.16 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Imperial Chemical Industries Australia And New Zealand Rules April 1967 1440.16 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Imperial Chemical Industries Australia And New Zealand Rules November 1958 1440.17- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Plant Protection Handbook 1440.18 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Rifle Explosion Photo 03 1440.18- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Christmas Party Photo 02 1440.18- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Shotgun Cartridge Machine Photo 01 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News August 1949 Vol 1 No 1 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News August 1950 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News December 1949 Vol 1 No 2 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News June 1951 Vol 2 No 3 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1874 - 1899 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1900 - 1928 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1929 - 1939 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1940 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1941 - 1949 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1950 - 1969 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1970 - 1979 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1980 - 1996 1440.21 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Orica Business Overview 2003 1440.22 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Manufacturing Processes & Main Products And Uses 1440.23 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Explosives To Drugs 1996 1440.24 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Deer Park Factory 1440.25 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Hand Written History Notes 1440.26 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Orica Name Change Notification 1997 1440.27 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Deer Park Changes And The Future 1440.28 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Newspaper Articles Collection of documents relating to ICI (Orica) & Australia & New Zealand Chemical Industries (ICIANZ & ICI) Deer Park Various plastic spiral bound reports, histories and copies of books relating to ICI Deer Park. ...1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Autumn 1950 Vol 2 No 1 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Autumn 1952 Vol 5 No 1 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Autumn 1954 Vol 6 No 1 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine September 1949 Vol 1 No 1 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Spring 1950 Vol 2 No 2 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Spring 1953 Vol 5 No 3 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Spring 1954 Vol 6 No 3 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Summer 1952 Vol 4 No 4 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Winter 1953 Vol 5 No 2 1440.01 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICIANZ Magazine Winter 1954 Vol 6 No 2 1440.02 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI In Australia A Short History OF It's Beginnings At Deer Park 1440.03 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Deer PArk 1870 - 1939 1440.04 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - The Australian Lithofacteur Company Kreb's Patent Limited 1881 - 1885 1440.05 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - A Detailed Description Of The Location, Plant, Operations And Working Conditions At The Australian Explosive & Chemical Company 1440.06 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - The Explosive Industry In The 1860's 1440.07 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Safety Fuse Manufacture In Australia 1899 - 1961 1440.08 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - The History Of Industrial Explosives In Australia By J.K. Mercer 1440.09 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - The History Of Nobel's Explosive Company Limted 1871 - 1926 1440.10 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Inquest Into The Death Of John O'Shannassy 1st August 1898 Australia Explosive & Chemical Factory Deer Park 1440.11 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Circumstances Attending An Explosion Which Occurred 25th September 1939 At Factory Of Nobles Deer Park 1440.12 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Three Killed At Dear Park 16th January 1923 Australia Explosive & Chemical Factory Deer Park 1440.13 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Contrasts And Continuity Cover 1440.13 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Contrasts And Continuity Map 1440.14 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Industrial Agreement Between Federation Ironworkers Association Of ICIANZ 1959 1440.15 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Commonwealth Government Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong A Brief History Of The Factory 1923 - 1956 1440.16 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Imperial Chemical Industries Australia And New Zealand Rules April 1967 1440.16 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Imperial Chemical Industries Australia And New Zealand Rules November 1958 1440.17- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Plant Protection Handbook 1440.18 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Rifle Explosion Photo 03 1440.18- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Christmas Party Photo 02 1440.18- ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Shotgun Cartridge Machine Photo 01 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News August 1949 Vol 1 No 1 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News August 1950 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News December 1949 Vol 1 No 2 1440.19 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Group News June 1951 Vol 2 No 3 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1874 - 1899 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1900 - 1928 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1929 - 1939 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1940 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1941 - 1949 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1950 - 1969 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1970 - 1979 1440.20 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Product History 1980 - 1996 1440.21 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Orica Business Overview 2003 1440.22 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Manufacturing Processes & Main Products And Uses 1440.23 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - ICI Explosives To Drugs 1996 1440.24 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Deer Park Factory 1440.25 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Hand Written History Notes 1440.26 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Orica Name Change Notification 1997 1440.27 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Nobel Deer Park Changes And The Future 1440.28 - ICI (Orica) Deer Park - Newspaper Articlesici, orica, deer park club, deer park -
Sunshine and District Historical Society IncorporatedDocument - Decontamination For Deposal Of The Former Albion Explosive Factory Site Deer Park Vic, Commonwealth of Australia, 1997
... Parliamentary Standing Committee On Public Works Minutes Of Evidence Relating To the Decontamination For Deposal Of The Former Albion Explosive Factory Site Deer Park Vic (Sixth Report of 1997) The Parliament Of The Commonwealth Of Australia 1997...Albion Explosive Factory Deer Park Contamination Parliamentary Standing Committee On Public Works Minutes Of Evidence Relating To the Decontamination For Deposal Of The Former Albion Explosive Factory Site Deer Park Vic (Sixth Report of 1997) The Parliament Of The Commonwealth Of Australia 1997 Solf cover report with yellow cover and black text Document Decontamination For Deposal Of The Former Albion Explosive Factory Site Deer Park Vic Commonwealth of Australia ...Parliamentary Standing Committee On Public Works Minutes Of Evidence Relating To the Decontamination For Deposal Of The Former Albion Explosive Factory Site Deer Park Vic (Sixth Report of 1997) The Parliament Of The Commonwealth Of Australia 1997albion explosive factory, deer park, contamination -
Sunshine and District Historical Society IncorporatedPlant specimen - Commonwealth Remont Department Pinecones
... A large row of pine trees fronted Raleigh Road where some Explosive Factory houses once stood Remount Department Pine Cones Collection of three pinecones Plant specimen Commonwealth Remont Department Pinecones ...These pinecones were picked up from the ground along Raleigh Road North Side between Rosamond Road and Randall Street. A large row of pine trees fronted Raleigh Road where some Explosive Factory houses once stoodCollection of three pineconesremount department, pine cones -
Melbourne Tram MuseumDrawing, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Explosive Factory Cordite Ave - Proposed Tramway Extension shown red", 1940's
... Drawing - red ink drawn on a print showing an extension to the single track, Maribyrnong tram line to run further into the Explosives Factory. Original print from the Commonwealth of Australia, Dept of Munitions, Factory Board drawing number W-1163 titled "Explosives - Munitions Supply Laboratories Proof at Rest - Maribyrnong" and dated April 1933. ...Explosives Factory In blue pencil both edges on the rear "Cordite Ave" and in pencil on rear "Copy to Mr ?? to file" Drawing - red ink drawn on a print showing an extension to the single track, Maribyrnong tram line to run further into the Explosives Factory. Original print from the Commonwealth ...Drawing - red ink drawn on a print showing an extension to the single track, Maribyrnong tram line to run further into the Explosives Factory. Original print from the Commonwealth of Australia, Dept of Munitions, Factory Board drawing number W-1163 titled "Explosives - Munitions Supply Laboratories Proof at Rest - Maribyrnong" and dated April 1933. Marked in red ink is a "Explosive Factory Cordite Ave - Proposed Tramway Extension shown red". Not dated, possibly early 1940's. Also has pencil markings around the terminus showing an alternative loop.In blue pencil both edges on the rear "Cordite Ave" and in pencil on rear "Copy to Mr ?? to file"trams, tramways, footscray, maribyrnong, new tramway, explosives factory -
Melbourne Tram MuseumNegative, Wal Jack, 20-4-1945?
... Tram has the "Special E" destination indicating it was on an Explosive factory working. Note the CGA (Commonwealth Government of Australia) sub-station for the works on the other side of the road. ...Tram has the "Special E" destination indicating it was on an Explosive factory working. Note the CGA (Commonwealth Government of Australia) sub-station for the works on the other side of the road. ...Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of S 157 in Gordon St (possibly near Monash St.) Tram has the "Special E" destination indicating it was on an Explosive factory working. Note the CGA (Commonwealth Government of Australia) sub-station for the works on the other side of the road. There is a high voltage power line in the background and behind the substation. Could be very near the terminus as no passengers. Photo not dated in Wal Jack album. Could be the same date as Reg Item 5446 - 20-4-1945.trams, tramways, gordon st, footscray, world war 2, special e, s class, tram 157 -
Sunshine and District Historical Society IncorporatedBook - Orica From The Goldfields To The Global Stage, John Durie, 2024
... factory has a rich industrial history dating back to the 1870s. The site was originally established for explosives manufacturing, playing a crucial role in Australia's mining and defence industries. Over time, it became a hub for chemical and plastics production, with facilities for polyurethanes, adhesives, resins, and engineering plastics. During World War II, the factory expanded significantly to support wartime production, including ammunition and explosives. The site was later taken over by the Commonwealth...factory has a rich industrial history dating back to the 1870s. The site was originally established for explosives manufacturing, playing a crucial role in Australia's mining and defence industries. Over time, it became a hub for chemical and plastics production, with facilities for polyurethanes, adhesives, resins, and engineering plastics. During World War II, the factory expanded significantly to support wartime production, including ammunition and explosives. The site was later taken over by the Commonwealth ...In January 2008 Akzo Nobel chief Hans Wijers triumphantly signed the US$19.2 billion deal (€11.6 billion) that would seal the end of the 81-year-old Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). Sixteen years later, ICI’s one-time subsidiary Orica marches on, transforming itself again from its explosives base to a global mining services giant employing 12,500 people, serving customers in over a hundred countries, with more than 62 per cent of sales outside Australia and Asia. Explosives remain the company’s core, accounting for more than 75 per cent of revenues, with copper and gold making up 45 per cent of output. Not bad for a company governed by a strict covenant, with its parent detailing what products could be sold into what market. The covenant laid down what products could be imported and exported and what investments could be made, although Philip Weickhardt, the last ICI Australia chief executive, admitted he had never seen a copy of the document. It was the preserve of the company’s lawyers, and something referred to in passing. In any case, in 1997 when he took over, Weickhardt’s task as to lead the company to independence after 123 years of foreign rule. Negotiations, he said, were very pragmatic because Australia wanted to be on its own and ICI wanted to get out. The covenant was no longer something even the lawyers needed to know about. ICI ultimately failed because of a corporate model that tried to serve too many different products and markets. Orica has stuck to its core, while over the years learning and benefiting from the strengths of its former parentDigital PDF Filenon-fictionIn January 2008 Akzo Nobel chief Hans Wijers triumphantly signed the US$19.2 billion deal (€11.6 billion) that would seal the end of the 81-year-old Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). Sixteen years later, ICI’s one-time subsidiary Orica marches on, transforming itself again from its explosives base to a global mining services giant employing 12,500 people, serving customers in over a hundred countries, with more than 62 per cent of sales outside Australia and Asia. Explosives remain the company’s core, accounting for more than 75 per cent of revenues, with copper and gold making up 45 per cent of output. Not bad for a company governed by a strict covenant, with its parent detailing what products could be sold into what market. The covenant laid down what products could be imported and exported and what investments could be made, although Philip Weickhardt, the last ICI Australia chief executive, admitted he had never seen a copy of the document. It was the preserve of the company’s lawyers, and something referred to in passing. In any case, in 1997 when he took over, Weickhardt’s task as to lead the company to independence after 123 years of foreign rule. Negotiations, he said, were very pragmatic because Australia wanted to be on its own and ICI wanted to get out. The covenant was no longer something even the lawyers needed to know about. ICI ultimately failed because of a corporate model that tried to serve too many different products and markets. Orica has stuck to its core, while over the years learning and benefiting from the strengths of its former parentorica, deer park, ici
