Absorbed into the Tala Division of the giant Metal Box Company, little is known about the history of Haws in this period. What is clear is that the Company continued to trade as J. Haws Ltd and retained the Regd Trade Mark medallion, albeit with another address change around the circumference.
The key change over this period was the introduction of injection moulded plastic cans in the early 1960s. This would have meant a substantial investment in tooling and would have been well beyond the means of the original Haws company. These tools are still in use today, producing the 169 and 170 series cans. A small indoor plastic can was also introduced in a very modern design, but this was less successful. The outdoor plastic cans offered most of the same user benefits as the metal cans but at half their price and with the added benefit of being lighter to carry. With more women taking up gardening this was an important consideration.
Sales of plastic cans grew rapidly and the logic of this market trend led to Metal Box deciding to sell the business in 1976. The Company, Elliots, that had been producing the plastic cans for them were anxious to protect its position and therefore became the new owners of the Haws name and business.
Introduction
Part 1 – The Early Years, 1885–1925
Part 2 – The Bishops Stortford Years 1925–53
Part 3 – The Tala Years, 1953–76
Part 4 – The Elliott Years, 1976–82
Part 5 – The Eclipse Years, 1982–