 |
|
The new factory built in 1890
|
Rushden Argus, 7th March 1890
To Builders
Persons who wish to Tender for a SHOE FACTORY to be erected on Rushden Hill, Rushden, for Mr Abraham Groome, of Higham Ferrers, must kindly send in their names to my Office not later than noon of Friday the 14th inst.
J E Cutlan
Architect &c.
|
 |
|
Oak Street factory taken after WWI
|
|
Wellingborough News, 1890
New Factory At Rushden. The new factory recently erected for Messrs. Groome & Sons is built on lines which are entirely novel in the district. It is situate at the midway between Higham Ferrers and Rushden, and a passer-by would hardly take it for a shoe factory at all.
The firm is largely engaged in the manufacture of meduim class goods in pegged rivetted, M.S., and standard screwed bals and Derbys, their speciality being a stout split Derby made in both nailed and studded bottoms. As the competition in this class of goods is unusually keen, Messrs. Groome & Sons decided to meet it by the erection of a building specially adapt to modern methods, of manufacture. The factory nearly approaches the weaving-shed pattern, but suitable modifications have been introduced by the architect, Mr. J. E. Cutlan, of Wellingborough, in the roof-lighting arrangements. The building is 150 ft. by 70 ft., and adjoining is the foreman's house, giving a total frontage of 104 ft. There are no upper floors, as the methods adopted by the firm entail the use of heavy machinery to a very large extent. In the centre of the floor area are the offices, which are so constructed that every operator is plainly seen, no matter in what part of the factory he may be employed. Entering from the Rushden-road we find a spacious lobby, to the right of which is the lasters' shop extending from the centre to the end of the factory. Parallel with this is the stock-room for closed uppers and upper leather, which consists very largely of splits, although a good quantity of kips are cut. Beyond this is the clickers' and girls' machine-room. For closing the uppers a double row of Singer's sewing-machines are driven by power supplied by one of Crossley's newest type 7-h.p. tube ignition "Otto" gas engines, which will give from 12 to 14 actual horse-power. All the work is skived by the Carver skiver as it leaves the clickers' bench. At the other side of the factory is the most interesting and important department. Here is found a complete plant of the newest and best machinery, including a pair of McKay lasting-machines, Standard screw, Blake sole-sewer, twin Tapley heel-burnisher, single and twin edge-setting machine, Acme heel-parer and edge-trimmer, Naumkeg buffing machine, "Common-sense" splitting machine, four heel-building and attaching machines, presses, rollers, and others. This room also contains some tons of tips, nails, &c., and a glance at the stock of grindery held gives an idea of the magnitude of the trade done. The remaining room is filled with boots in process of manufacture and finished goods, of which a stock of about ten to twelve thousand pairs is held, including men's Derbys. Oxfords, bals, and E.S. Over the front entrance is an office fitted up as a sample-room, where all the lines manufactured may be seen. The basement is used as a store-room for rough leather and cases. The position of the firm is second to none for the class of goods above named, at a minimum price for the quality given. One is impressed by the thorough adaptation of the means to the end in going through the various departments. No slop work is made, and buyers of low priced Derbys will find here a range of reliable, cheap, and well-finished goods. The whole of the building is heated by Marriott's improved patent hot-water apparatus. |
|
