25 Years of Dramatic Change - Part 1 |
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The next 25 years of Avon's history were
to record dramatic changes in its fortunes.
J W & T Connolly was expanding rapidly and by 1961 it
had moved into a new purpose built factory nearby. In a
commendable display of organisation and commitment, machinery
was dismantled at the old factory on Wednesday and was installed
and running at the new facility by Sunday.
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Also that year, the Duke of
Edinburgh arrived by helicopter for a tour of the Melksham
factory and a practical demonstration of inflatable boats
on the River Avon, this was watched by hundreds of Melksham
townspeople.
This era of seemingly unlimited promise continued as some
5,000 employees contributed their efforts to a product range
which was now being exported to 125 overseas markets. Expansion
was the keynote as market leadership was established for
Avon components playing a vital part in many industries.
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The Duke of Edinburgh talks to members
of the Mixing facility on his visit to the Melksham factory |
The Melksham
plant alone was producing 1½ million tyres annually
and wide acclaim was won by the development of a cling rubber
tread compound for car and motorcycle tyres, which provided
greatly improved wet road grip.
By acquiring the Normeir Tyre Company in 1963, Avon became
involved with tyre distribution for the first time. This chain,
strengthened by future acquisitions, was to form the basis
of the Motorway Tyres and Accessories Company.
It was also in 1963 that the word "India" was dropped
from the title which was shortened to Avon Rubber Co Ltd.
Further growth was achieved in 1964 with the acquisition of
two companies. These were David Moseley and Sons Ltd of Manchester,
manufacturers of industrial rubber and plastics products and
their subsidiary, Capon Heaton, makers of rubber and plastics
components and a highly specialised range of medical products.
A new factory for the manufacture of inflatable craft was
also set up at Dafen, near Llanelli, where production of these
items transferred from the Abbey Mills factory at Bradford
on Avon. |
The Great Fire of 1966 |
On 15 August 1966, the Great
Fire at Melksham destroyed the Finished Goods store, in
which it raged for many hours and threatened to engulf the
whole factory. It was an event which evoked a remarkable
spirit of teamwork. Factory and office workers joined forces
with the works and county fire brigades. Chains of employees
passed tyres from hand to hand ahead of streams of molten
rubber. The company lost 25 per cent of all its new stocks,
plus all moulded rubber products awaiting despatch. The
biggest fire in Wiltshire's history cost more than £1
million but as a result of remarkable ingenuity and co-operation
less than two production shifts were lost. |
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Thankfully, the fire was well
away from the new computer room which had just been built
to house Avon's new ICT1903 computer. It was commissioned
to produce invoices and statements and monitor production
to automatically replenish stocks at all the depots. The
equipment was so sensitive that the floor could be adjusted
to ensure that it remained perfectly level. The computer
room was also equipped with its own power supply and air
conditioning to create a humidity and temperature controlled,
dust free environment.
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