Ouzledale Foundry. CH article

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Ouzledale Foundry. CH article
EPIC STORY OF A FOUNDRY
MP will open big extensions
From the Craven Herald 25 May 1954

In the year 1926, a man with his wife and six young children moved to Barnoldswick from Leeds and took a job at a local foundry. Three years later that foundry closed down, leaving the man with no money, but still his family to support. He took a small, derelict building in the Manchester Road area which had not been used for 20 years, and by honest toil began a small foundry, employing one man, Mr. T. Riley.

Together they struggled on until 1932, when the floodwaters so well remembered by older Barnoldswick residents, swept down the ravine adjacent to Manchester Road. With it went almost all that had been achieved in those three years—equipment, stock and building. Only one thing remained the hope and courage of that one man, and the loyalty of Mr. Riley and Mr. Clifford Turner, who by that time was working at the foundry.

The man was Mr. James Ashby, founder of what we now know as Ouzledale Foundry Ltd., and which today (Friday) will see the final triumph over years of adversity when Mr. G. B. Drayson, MP for the Skipton Division, opens extensions at the Long Ing site which have cost over £60,000. Mr. Ashby (senior) died in 1941, but there is no doubt but that he truly laid the foundations on which the firm has risen to its present eminence in its own sphere.

Let us take up the growth of the firm once more at the time of the flood. Mrs. Ashby was lying seriously ill in bed at the time, and had to be carried out of the house, around which the waters were swirling. When the waters had subsided, Mr. Ashby and his faithful employees viewed the wreckage and decided to try Again. A building 20-ft. by 30-ft. was built for them, and once again they began, very slowly, to build up the business. They had to make sacrifices, and there was little money left for pleasure. From door to door they went selling fire grates, and slowly they began to prosper. In 1936, Ouzledale Foundry was registered as a limited company, and by 1930 there were 12 on the pay roll.

CAME THE WAR
The present premises were beginning to be inadequate for the expanding concern, with no room for extensions, no proper road, sewer, or proper facilities. But then came the war, and with it more difficulties. Permits were difficult to obtain; metal was in short supply; manpower was short.
When Mr. Ashby senior died in 1941, his son George took over as head of the firm. He had gone into the mill on first leaving school, but at the age of 15 had gone into the firm. He decided to increase stock and buildings at the first opportunity and looked round for a site, finally deciding on the one at Long Ing. The first building was started in 1947, and had two bays, gradually, extensions were added, and progress continued so that by 1951 Mr. Ashby began to look ahead and visualise mechanisation as a way of increasing output and economy. There was also the point that the firm was under three separate roofs, Ouzledale, Long Ing and Earby. It was decided, therefore, to start the new extensions which will be opened today, and which will make the foundry one of the most modern of its type. A further milestone in the success of the firm was the development of an all-night burning grate, which is known throughout the land, as the "Firemaster." Over 300,000 of them have been sold. It was one of the original all-night fires, and was designed and developed at the Barnoldswick works. But it is by no means the only product, Plumbers and builders castings of all descriptions are made, while new ideas are always being sought and tried.

SPEEDING PRODUCTION
Outstanding development in the new extensions is a mechanical sand handling plant, which speeds productions, cuts costs, and also the amount of manual work, and produces a better quality casting. It was built to a design worked out by Mr. Ashby himself and can be described in broad general terms as working on the conveyor belt system. That amounted to £20,000 of the total cost.

The rest is devoted to extra amenities for the workpeople, for whom Mr. Ashby has a great regard. There are a number of beautifully appointed offices. Above is a spacious canteen, which can cater for 200 employees. Foundry work has long been considered a tough, dirty job, and in the past it has been possible to pick out the men who work there by their black faces. But now a man dressed in the best City of London tradition might well be returning from Ouzledale, for the extensions include showers and baths which could cater for 200 men in about two hours. There is also a spacious workshop with the latest lighting and heating installations.

What has been the secret of the firm's success? "Hard work despite all the setbacks and frustrations," declared Mr. Ashby in an interview with a Craven Herald and Pioneer representative this week. "We have also ploughed money back into the firm to ensure its progress. And last, though by no means least, a number of faithful workers." And among those faithful workers are those two who were with the firm in its struggling days. Mr. Riley is now foundry manager and one of six directors, and Mr. Turner is still very much on the strength."

Perhaps the whole secret of success can be gained from the words of a letter received by Mr. Ashby recently in response to an invitation to someone who knows him well, to be present at the opening ceremony— "Provision of such facilities indicates a truly commendable interest in the welfare of your employees.”

[Posted on oneguy 09 October 2004]

[Stanley]

Bumped.

[Stanley]

Still a good source for information about Ouzledale Foundry even though it is now at Long Ing.