Catalogue description Records of the Mechanical and Engineering Division

The Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Division was formed from the merger of the Machine Tools and Mechanical Engineering Division and the Mechanical Equipment, Electrical Engineering and Process Plant Division in 1980. The Division was renamed the Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Division in 1986 to reflect the increasing use of manufacturing technology in industry. By 1988 the significance of manufacturing and information technology was such that a new division - the Manufacturing and Information Technologies Division - was created to promote their use. At the same time a new Engineering Markets Division was created with responsibility for engineering industries, as well as the European market including the Channel Fixed Link, major overseas power projects and marine markets other than the merchant ship markets.

The Division was part of the industrial sponsorship group. It was divided into four branches each with responsibility for various aspects of the mechanical and electrical engineering industry. Branch 1 was responsible for sponsorship and assistance to the machine tools industry, Branch 2 construction equipment, plastics and rubber, textile, printing and food packaging, Branch 3 process plant, heating and ventilation, mechanical and electrical railway equipment and administration of the financial assistance schemes and Branch 4 heavy electrical and industrial electrical equipment.