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Ross-on-Wye

Woodville - A Move To New Premises

By the early fifties British Industry had recovered from the effects of war and had got back on its feet. It was at this time that orders were received from a major British Motor Company for precision molded parts and because of this the company decided to employ its first part-time salesman to create a liaison between the two companies. There was also the hope that this line of business could be expanded. This proved a wise decision and the business prospered. The company had grown faster than its premises and as there was no more room for expansion, the company had to find a new site. Nearby Swadlincote proved to be the ideal location and in 1951 the equipment was installed in two new 60 x 30 ft bays at a new premises. Most of the work was carried out by the employees. By this time the number of presses had grown to 18 and this was soon further increased. The factory had more than doubled its size after the building of a new extension, covering an area of 2,200 square feet. Shortly after the move the company obtained A.I.D approval and was soon producing precision parts to high specifications for the Ministry of Defense.

A year later, in 1952, the rubber industry was still experiencing a tremendous boom and the company wished to expand further. Attempts to purchase an adjacent building housing a pottery works failed and as no ground was available for building. It was therefore decided that the company would look for ground in another area where expansion would be uninhibited. A decision was soon made and the site chosen was Ashby de la Zouche, which was only a short distance away. This was deemed a suitable area because of its good road and rail links and its convenient situation in relation to the industry of the Midlands. Consequently, a plot of land was bought but an application for planning permission to build a factory was refused and the land had to be sold.


A Christmas Party
A Christmas Party (Click for a larger image)

If you can identify any of the people in the photo then please email me:
rossonwye@googlemail.com



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Sources

Many of the details are taken from The History of Woodville Polymer Products by Gary Minton. Gary was doing a industrial placement, presumably as part of his education, when he created the original document. - Thanks to Dennis Eagles for supplying these details



[Page updated: Feb 15 2011 13:31:59]






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