The Thames Ditton works were destroyed by fire in 1888 but they were rebuilt to a new and better design.Peter Coulls, Alain Foote and John Willock, address to Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society, May 2010 (reported in their newsletter No. 38, June 2010) That same year they formed a limited liability company to own the business.Company No:25665, the National Archives BT 31/4027/25665 The partners and their friends subscribed for the first issue of shares and none were offered to the public.Money-Market and City Intelligence. The Times, Tuesday, Jan 31, 1888; pg. 11; Issue 32296. Following Peter Willans death the remaining shareholders decided to issue new shares to the public to raise capital to expand operations and meet demand for the company's engines and in particular for the large engines required to drive cotton and flax mills.Publications. The Times, Saturday, Mar 17, 1894; pg. 3; Issue 34214 The new shares were listed on the London Stock Exchange in July 1894.The Money Market. The Times, Monday, Jul 23, 1894; pg. 4; Issue 34323
