- Joined
- Aug 1, 2009
- Messages
- 178
- Reaction score
- 148
The former EMI factory in the upper Rhondda Valley was buillt around 1940 for the production of thermionic valves for aircraft radar sets. The company continued with MOD contracts including airborne, mobile and ground-based radar equipment, various other avionics and telecoms until the late 50's when it diversified into medical equipment and professional (ie. broadcast) A/V equipment. They were beaten hands-down by the Americans and the Japanese and by the mid 70's the plant was churning out thousands of blank cassette tapes - audio enthusiasts of a certain age may remember the cheap ferric oxide 'Emitape' brand blank tapes.
By this time, the company had had several name changes and was known as Thorn-EMI-Dynatel. The cassette tape operation lasted a few years, again seen off by competition from the Far East, after which the company moved to contract electronics manufacture, which was really taking off in the area at that time. This lasted until the mid 80's when there was another change of name and a move to more modern premises. The empty building was rented for warehouse space.
Soon after, a Christmas decoration company took over until they moved manufacturing to China on the late 90's. The factory has been disused since, and will always be known to the local community as the 'old EMI factory', because of its' significance in the area.
Demolition is imminent, as apparently there are plans for yet another major supermarket. Part of the site has already gone, which used to house the old Ray-O-Vac (later Eveready) factory which made batteries and torches.
So, what remains of this once-pioneering manufacturing premises? . . .
This looked like a strores for the masterbatch (plastic material pigment), as the granules were everywhere.
Contacters:
Moving into the main production bay:
Don't think so!
Clock machine:
Evidence of pikeyness, they just left the insulation.
What's left of Reception:
The remains of the old Ray-O-Vac battery factory:
I really was pushed for time on this solo explore, so sorry about the quality of some of the pics. There's loads more to see, and I will be returning at some point and I'll tag on some more pics. I also have access to some old pics of the place ion its heyday, but don't want to infringe any copyright laws. Anyhow, thanks for looking.
Some more pics here
By this time, the company had had several name changes and was known as Thorn-EMI-Dynatel. The cassette tape operation lasted a few years, again seen off by competition from the Far East, after which the company moved to contract electronics manufacture, which was really taking off in the area at that time. This lasted until the mid 80's when there was another change of name and a move to more modern premises. The empty building was rented for warehouse space.
Soon after, a Christmas decoration company took over until they moved manufacturing to China on the late 90's. The factory has been disused since, and will always be known to the local community as the 'old EMI factory', because of its' significance in the area.
Demolition is imminent, as apparently there are plans for yet another major supermarket. Part of the site has already gone, which used to house the old Ray-O-Vac (later Eveready) factory which made batteries and torches.
So, what remains of this once-pioneering manufacturing premises? . . .
This looked like a strores for the masterbatch (plastic material pigment), as the granules were everywhere.
Contacters:
Moving into the main production bay:
Don't think so!
Clock machine:
Evidence of pikeyness, they just left the insulation.
What's left of Reception:
The remains of the old Ray-O-Vac battery factory:
I really was pushed for time on this solo explore, so sorry about the quality of some of the pics. There's loads more to see, and I will be returning at some point and I'll tag on some more pics. I also have access to some old pics of the place ion its heyday, but don't want to infringe any copyright laws. Anyhow, thanks for looking.
Some more pics here
