October i, 1909.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



19 



Some Rubber Interests in Europe. 



THE INDUSTRY IN DENMARK. 



A NATIONAL exposition for Denmark, on rather a large 

 scale, was held recently at Aarhus, the second largest 

 city in the Kingdom, closing about the middle of 

 September. The beautiful location and the splendid buildings 

 alone made the exposition worth visiting, besides which the 

 exhibits were of real interest, both to the people ol the coun- 

 try and to foreigners. 



The two Danish rubber manufacturing companies, exhibit- 

 ing in the Arts and Manufactures building, both received 

 first-class diplomas (silver medals 1. the highest awards made. 



Aktieselskahet de Forende Gummi- og Luftringefabriker 

 Schionning & Arve, at Copenhagen, exhibited under a giant 

 diving bell bearing the company's trade mark (elephant's head 

 and the word "Force"), a diver in complete diving outfit, 

 standing on a pedestal of hose and surrounded by four col- 

 umns of alternating white and red pneumatic tires ("Aequa- 

 tor" brand), surmounted by rubber balls illustrating the na- 

 tional colors. The company, formed in 1896, employ about 

 100 men, and are credited with an annual production of 1.000.- 

 000 kroner [=r $268,000]. Exports are made to Sweden and 

 Xorway. 



At the exhibit of Aktiesel-kabet Skandinavisk Gummi- 

 Compagni, of Odeuse, the attention of the crown prince and 

 crown princess was attracted on the opening day by the 

 figure of a footman placed on a high pedestal and wearing 

 a red rubber cap (in Denmark all the royal servants, as well 

 as the letter carriers, are dressed in red uniforms). The 

 company exhibited waterproof raincoats for men and women, 

 as well as Danish army uniforms, wheel tires, and so on. all 

 bearing their trade' mark — the words "Isonandra Gutta.'" 

 with pictures of rubber plantations. Posters announced that 

 the company sell exclusively to dealers. Seventy-five to 100 

 workmen are employed, and the production amounts to 

 350.000 kroner. 



Gutta-percha and india-rubber cable insulations, and plates 

 illustrating the same, were shown by Det Store Xordiske 

 Telegraf- Selskab A.-S. (Great Northern Telegraph Co.), of 

 Copenhagen. The structure in which this company had its 

 exhibit housed made an imposing effect on account of its 

 size and practical arrangement for demonstrating purposes. 

 The rotunda could be reached by a stairway and was topped 

 by a cable buoy. A survey of their cable line could be ob- 

 tained by means of maps, photographs, specimens, and 

 sample collections, showing also instruments and various 

 cable types. The display contained illustrations of the dam- 

 age done to sea cables by the propeller screw- of steamers 

 and fishing gear. (First-class diploma.) 



Aktieselskabet Xordiske Kabel- og Traadfabriker (North- 

 ern Cable and Wire Works Co), of Copenhagen and Middel- 

 fart, showed cables, wire and other products of their rolling 

 mill. 



The firm of Simonsen & Weels Efterfolger exhibited sur- 

 gical dressing fabrics of their manufacture. Camillus X'yrops 

 Etablissement, of Copenhagen, purveyors of instruments to 

 the University, showed a similar line of goods of their own 

 manufacture, as well as surgical, hospital and sick-room sup- 

 plies, bandages, and the like. 



Aktieselskabet Drivremmefabriken "Dana" of Lyngby, 

 showed patented coton canvas belting. Among the testi- 

 monials shown was one from the before-mentioned manufac- 

 turing concern of Schionning & Arve. (Second-class diploma.) 

 Madsen & Giersing. Fabriken Ondulium, of Copenhagen, 

 manufacturers of paper board and corrugated board, exhibited 

 a novel air cell insulation or covering for superheated steam. 



made of a compound of asbestos and prepared paper — recom- 

 mended .is cheap, cleanly, and durable. 



C. Ramm. of Copenhagen, exhibited rubber horseshoe pads 

 made in imitation of American patterns. [The preceding de- 

 tails are derived from the Gummi-Zeitung.] 



IMPROVED CONDITIONS IN GERMANY. 

 [FROM THE "GUMMI-ZEITUNG," BERLIN, SEPTEMBER 10.] 



The publication of the first balance sheet issued during the 

 current year by a German rubber works was an evenl of unusual 

 interest. It is well known that times have by no means been 

 favorable to the rubber trade since January I. 1909. Unfavor- 

 able fluctuations in the market, general business depression, un- 

 willingness to buy goods, increased taxes, and advances in prices 

 were prominent features of the first si\ months of the current 

 year, m addition to the enormous advance in the price of crude 

 rubber. In view of these conditions it was assumed that the 

 balance sheets of the German rubber manufacturing concerns 

 would show figures exactly of a nature to give cause for re- 

 joicing. 



It is consequently and all the more pleasant surprise to learn 

 that the Vereinigte Gummiwaren-Fabriken Harburg-Wien, vor- 

 mals Menier-J. X. Reithoffcr intend to move in the general 

 meeting to lie held on October 30, that a dividend of 6 per cent. 

 lie declared. This showing, which may be considered very satis- 

 factory for the rubber trade at large and for the aforesaid com- 

 pany in particular, furnish, grounds for the expectation that the 

 balance sheets of other rubber works will not fall far behind 

 those of previous years. 



The fact that the Harburg-Wien Company will declare a divi- 

 dend of 6 per cent, proves that conditions have greatly improved 

 and that we may now expect a continued general improvement 

 and the dawning of better days for the shareholders. The 

 amounts deducted for depreciation from the book value of the 

 plant have this year been unusually large, and there is conse- 

 quently reasons to assume tiiat the company is once more enjoy- 

 ing the good old times. In this connection it deserves attention 

 that higher prices have been obtained for the output of rubber 

 shoes, a line which the Harburg works are pushing energetically. 

 According to a recent report, such buyers of rubber shoes as 

 have not as yet covered their requirements by making contracts 

 at low prices, will henceforth have to pay higher rates both for 

 prompt and future delivery. The advance in the prices of crude 

 rubber is a sufficient justification of such a policy, the more so 

 because American and Russian rubber good manufacturers have 

 already advanced their quotations on rubber shoes 



GERMAN IMPORTS OF SWEDISH RUBBER FOOTWEAR. 

 [FROM THE "GUMMI-ZEITUNG," BERLIN.] 



The fact that Sweden is interested, to a by no means incon- 

 siderable extent, in the exportation of rubber shoes to Germany, 

 is proved by the following figures, compiled on the basis of the 

 German trade statistics: 



Rubber Shoes Imported Into Germany From Sweden. 



Kilos. Marks. Kilos. Marks. 



1900 12,900 -4,000 1905 142,800 785.000 



1901 51,000 306,000 1906 264,300 1,454.000 



1902 44.700 286,000 1007 5,000 20.000 



1903 28,400 142.000 1008 77.30O 309.000 



1904 15.300 84,000 



The large imports during 1905 and 1906 must be attribute 

 the planned increase in the German import duty on rubber shoes, 

 which was expected at that time. During January and February. 



