ABSTRACT

this short period from the end of 1929 is one of transition in which events moved extremely fast. The period started with the collapse of the Horne group and ended with the reorganization of the Cement Makers’ Federation and the introduction of effective price agreements. During the five years the structure of the industry was altered very considerably, both under the impact of a number of dramatic moves by small groups of individuals, and under the impact of the depressed trading conditions, continued cost reduction and intense price competition. Although by 1934 many changes were still taking place, the whole character of the industry was beginning to take on its modern look; the introduction of the effective price agreements constituted a real landmark; it was in large part a reflection of the changed structure of the industry.