Glassware, PYREX, Ovenware, Colourware, Top of Stove Flameware, OPALWARE and Tableware
There were seven of us as Representatives (and what a do we had to be known as Reps not Travellers) and what a job we had to convince buyers that the days of cooking in Tins and Pots were over. Here was warm golden PYREX.
Our reception in the old days was different to what it is now. Our prospective buyers would say, What! cook in glass and put it in the oven? dont be daft.
PYREX never heard of it.
PYREX No : we have never been asked for it
PYREX teapots, nay lad theyll burst.
PYREX guaranteed for twelve months, what do you think we are, an exchange mart!?
In 1929 these were only too frequent expressions.
Although I am only too happy to make some contribution to celebrate our Centenary it is very difficult to cover and put briefly the exciting 29 years and do justice to them.
Many are the stories that could be told of our experiences.
In 1930 we assembled at the works to meet, Mr. A. N. Robson who had been appointed Sales Manager. He quickly adopted the give us more and bigger orders idea, which seemed strange, because previously if we did open an account and get an order it was a question of, Can they pay, Call again soon and get the money. However we did get more and better advertising Nationally and even lantern slides for the Cinema.
July 20th 1931 a National Competition, asking the housewife to state her reasons for liking, PYREX. 1st prize £10 was won by a lady of Rhyl. 2nd £5 won by a lady from Gosport, Hants., 3rd £3 a gentleman in Mumbles, Swansea. July 1932 all out effort to establish, Weardale suite of Glass.
Our customer had to undertake to give us a Weardale window for 6 days and he received Free a cheese dish, later if he gave us a 10 day show he received Free a Salad Bowl and Compact. Later still for every £5 order for Weardale he received Free a Water set.
1933. A new accounts scheme was started, we received 2/6 for every new, PYREX or FLINT account with an additional £1 1s. 0d. at the end of the month for the one with the most. Charles Adams and myself were keen rivals for the latter and some of the nicest letters I received from the works related to this Competition.
The war brought restrictions on output, Clothing coupons also brought restriction on wedding and celebration presents and this was a wonderful opportunity of making PYREX the guaranteed gift for the bride of which we took full advantage.
From the 1929 Exhibition on the Town Moor, Newcastle we have attended and Exhibited at the B.I.F. and many other, Trade Fairs. We have progressed with our own Window Dressers our own Demonstrators, our own Transport, (I wonder if we still have my old Jowett in a Museum). Home Centre, Film Shows and what have you.
Thinking of adverts, particularly the one showing an OPALWARE cup being used to knock a nail into a piece of wood, reminds me of one of our workmen knocking a nail into a piece of wood with a PYREX TEAPOT and the late Queen Mary watching him at the B.I.F. (I think I have a photograph of this somewhere). I gave my mother a teapot and it was years afterwards that I found out she always brewed the tea in a silver pot and then poured into the PYREX one. (she was scared stiff).
Incidentally have you ever given thought to the number of products on the market whose name ends in X think it over, no prizes.
I may have exceeded the number of words allocated to me but I would like to express my keen appreciation to the Company for this opportunity of, Looking Back and pay tribute to those it has been my privilege and pleasure to meet in the service of James A. J., some have regrettably passed on but with new found colleagues we can look forward to even greater progress and prosperity.
SALES DEPARTMENT
Since the last issue of Mixed Batch the Domestic Sales Department has been kept extremely busy in putting across the 1958 PYREX Summer Offer. This promotion is being heavily backed by advertising on I.T.V., in the National Press and in full colour in the popular Womens magazines, thus keeping the name of PYREX to the fore as one of the best advertised and best selling lines.
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