Vickers Oils lubricate the wheels of business
Tracey Welch
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
It was back in 2019 that I was first contacted by the PR company working for Vickers Oils. They’d seen my work and hoped I’d be interested in going along to capture some shots to mark the opening of their new research and development lab. I did, and have since done a few different jobs for them.
This time they needed some new profiles as well as some shots from around the site. I particularly like this image of Peter Vickers, the chairman of Vickers Oils.
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Currently right in the heart of Leeds just down the river from the Royal Armouries and Leeds Dock, there has been a Vickers business in Leeds since 1808. Initially established in 1828, from the 1850’s onwards their oil formulating and blending began. They even set an industry standard for safety after developing their own blend of oil for the treatment of wool and yarn that, unlike the commonly used olive oil at the time, was not liable to combustion in hot weather!
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
With so much history behind them, it was great to get to meet and photograph another generation of Vickers. Above is a picture of Peter’s son; Will Vickers, who is also involved in the family business.
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Innovation is a key part of their history as they have constantly paved the way in finding new solutions for industry. An oil that was still effective in sea water on ship propellers was one such break through, followed by oils for the manufacturing of man made fibres in the 60’s, to food grade lubricants in the current day.
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
Vickers Oil 21.03.23
I’m hoping to get to shoot their archive at some point in the future, and with 200 years of local history behind them, I’m sure there are some absolute gems in there!
