Belliss and Morcom

Belliss and Morcom are a manufacturer and supplier of oil-free reciprocating compressors, technologies and services. Founded in 1852 in Birmingham, West Midlands, they are now a division of Gardner Denver Group, based in Redditch, Worcestershire, England.

Shortly after completing his articles of apprenticeship, in 1862 George Edward Belliss acquired the engineering business of R. Bach and Co, then located at 13-14 Broad Street, Islington, Birmingham. He then went into partnership with Joseph J. Seekings, forming the limited partnership Belliss and Seekings. The partnership came to an end in 1866, but Belliss continued the business as G. E. Belliss and Co. In 1875, the organisation moved to larger premises at Ledsam Street, Ladywood.

In 1884, Belliss invited Royal Navy engineer Alfred Morcom to join the firm as a partner. Previously chief engineer at Sheerness dockyard, he had gained a first class certificate in steam engineering at the Navy's training college. Up to this point, Belliss and Morcom had specialised in producing electrical generator sets, consisting of a steam engine paired with a conjoined dynamo, to create electricity for electrical power companies, councils, hospitals, industrial premises and water and sanitation works. With the addition of Morcom, it began selling into the marine market.

From 1885 onwards, the organisation received further orders from J. Samuel White of Cowes, Isle of Wight, for main power and generating machinery for Royal Navy torpedo boats. The companies subsequently went in a limited production partnership, with Morcom also assisting White in Royal Navy trials of early versions of the torpedo net. In 1887, the Royal Navy placed an order directly with Belliss and Morcom for triple-expansion engine-based main power and generator set for all 13 of the Sharpshooter class torpedo gunboats, designed by White.