Kevin Harrington // marketing // blog

Martin Salter MP

I was at Reading Prison last Friday. It was a photocall for Jail Guitar Doors and one of Reading’s two Members of Parliament, Martin Salter (pictured holding a Heritage H-575 guitar), was helping the cause.

Salter scales

When Martin Salter introduced himself to one of the inmates he said, “Martin Salter, as in the scales.” He was referring to Salter scales. But as he was talking to a young offender I’m not sure that this reference would have helped. For all I know Chris, the young offender, was trying to recollect where he may have seen Martin’s scales.I know Salter is still a trading brand but it is one of the companies that used to have a huge advantage when their products were used in many shops to weigh produce and groceries.

NCR (National Cash Registers) would be another brand that used to enjoy this free point of sale advantage.

Today’s equivalents are things like Streamline, Visa etc I guess.

Morris Marina 1975

In the last century some of the UK’s best brands have been motor cars and motor manufacturers. The history and demise of one of the best (and worst) players is dealt with very well in this feature: Longbridge merger that put it on the road to ruin-Business-Columnists-TimesOnline

Today the UK’s biggest strength is in the information and service sectors. Will we go the same way with these valuable businesses as we did with the motor industry?