It all began in 1910, when a firm known as 'J. Masters & Co' began manufacturing polishing paste along the railway tracks that run past the village of Roade. In 1922 the business closed and was purchased the following year by a former employee, C.T Cripps, who went to produce castings and fixtures for pianos as well as parts for automobiles. The company was known as 'Pianoforte Supplies Ltd'. In 1933 the factory was rebuilt following a large fire and then during the Second World War, went into full-time production, creating parts for vehicles and aircraft as part of the war effort.
In the 1960's the factory was known to have over 1,800 workers, but following the closure of Roade railway station a few years later, the factory began to slip into decline. The production of piano parts was ceased in the 1980's and the car parts factory remained open until around 2011.
Having been to the part of the factory that manufactured piano parts a few times in the past, i'd always looked at the much bigger car parts factory across the other side of the footpath, but it had always remained out of reach. Was really good to finally get it done, although the place closed in 2011 it was clear some parts had been out of use for much longer.
In the 1960's the factory was known to have over 1,800 workers, but following the closure of Roade railway station a few years later, the factory began to slip into decline. The production of piano parts was ceased in the 1980's and the car parts factory remained open until around 2011.
Having been to the part of the factory that manufactured piano parts a few times in the past, i'd always looked at the much bigger car parts factory across the other side of the footpath, but it had always remained out of reach. Was really good to finally get it done, although the place closed in 2011 it was clear some parts had been out of use for much longer.
