| Administrative History | Both pre-1923 firms made the successful transition from carriage and coach builders to builders of the coachwork for motor vehicles, primarily cars and buses. William Edwin Sanderson (1862-1942) and Henry Tempest Sanderson (1888-1970) were appointed Managing Directors. W. G. Sanderson (b1887) was appointed Secretary and Herbert Mountford Holmes (1847-1929) also served as directors. William E. Sanderson owned 37.8% of the shares, William G. and Henry T. 14.1% each, William Eastwood Ann 9.4% and Harold Edward Yates 23.5%, with 50 shares each for Herbert Mountford Holmes (1847-1929) and Charles Holmes (1844-1927), amounting to less than 1% of the remainder between them.
Following the merger the Midland Road premises were vacated and the business was consolidated at the London Road site. In 1924, the firm advertises a wide range of services: motor agents and engineers, chassis overhauls and repairs, oxy-acetylene welding and brazing, new body work, private and commercial, body repairs, upholstering, repainting, etc., modernising alterations, all accessories stocked, petrol, tyres, oil, etc., Garage accommodation for largest vehicles, Immediate assistance always available in case of breakdown or accident, Everything for the motorist, Enquiries solicited, Advice given, Best work, Moderate charges, Quick service. Motor Coach Builders & Engineers, London Road, Derby (Source: Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 26 January 1924, p. 10).
In particular, they manufactured coachwork for Rolls-Royce Ltd as well as being official retailers for that firm, Bentley, Jaguar and, later, Daimler and Fiat. In 1956, “Bentley House” in on Victoria Road, Leicester was opened as a showroom for Bentley cards. A little earlier a motor services garage had been opened in Littleover.
In 1963, with brothers H. T. and W. G. Sanderson reaching retirement, Sanderson & Holmes Ltd merged with Mann Egerton & Co. Ltd of Norwich. The name Sanderson & Holmes was initially retained and Laurence Sanderson (son of H. T. Sanderson) remained as company director and secretary. Mann Egerton was bought out by Inchcape plc in 1973. |