Login   |   Register   |   

Places   (Help with places, streets and buildings in Wigan.)

Started by: dougie (5019) 

I.ve Googled Thomas Crompton so no need to go ,

in the 1920s as a young girl my Mam was the nanny to young Thomas or John Cromptons three children John,Irene,and Joan, the girls would come to our house to visit Mum well into the 40s, the two girls moved to Southport but I don't think any of them will be around now

THOMAS CROMPTON AND SONS LTD, ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD, NEAR WIGAN
Rim, dead and mortice lock makers. Thomas Crompton founded the company in 1866 when he purchased the bankrupt hinge and builders' hardware company from James Billings. He had worked there as a salesman. In the early days there was no factory as such. All work was subcontracted to local blacksmiths and locksmiths, who manufactured various products in their own homes in Ashton. Later a factory was opened making hinges, hardware and stock locks by hand methods. In 1899 Thomas started making butt hinges by machinery methods. He died in 1910 and his son Thomas took over the business. The firm continued to expand as improved hinge making machines were added to the factory. In 1933 Thomas died at the age of 69 and the firm passed to his son John, who continued the expansion until they employed over 1200 workers.

During the Second World War the company manufactured ammunition box fittings, ammunition belt clips, Army vehicle fittings and components for aircraft.

On the 12th April 1957 a new, modern factory was opened at Haydock, where most of the hinge making was carried out along with modern Electro plating. John Crompton sold the company in 1963 to Guest Keen and Nettlefold, who already had a hinge making plant of their own, Nettlefold Stenman Hinges Ltd Cardiff. (Stenman being the name of the Swedish lock maker whose trademark was ASSA, which at that time was owned by GKN). Soon after the take over the Crompton family left the business. Thomas Crompton and Sons Ltd merged with Nettlefold Stenman Hinges to form a new company called Crompton Nettlefold Stenman Ltd. The Cardiff factory was closed and it was probably at this time that they ceased to make locks.

They built a new £1 million factory on the Gerard Street site in 1976, which brought all the Crompton activities under one roof. Because the Stenman part of the association became more detached, it was finally decided in 1980 to change the name to GKN Crompton Ltd. During its history GKN Crompton was the largest employer in Ashton in Makerfield.

Taken over by J E Reynolds in 1995, they have a works at Haydock employing 130, and specialising in ironmongery.


Replied: 28th Jan 2011 at 10:17

Report Abuse

Only use this form to report abuse about the post displayed above. If you have a query or wish to make a comment, do not use this form.

Your IP No. (18.226.169.94) will be logged.

* Enter the 5 digit code to the right of the input box. Don't worry if you make a mistake, you will get another chance. Your comments won't be lost.