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Hoover |
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Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil |
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Hoover Limited,
of Canton, Ohio,
U.S.A. wishing to expand it's U.K. operation, opened the factory in
Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil. The factory was purpose built and equipped to manufacture the Hoover Electric Washing
Machine. The grand opening was on 19th October 1948. Initially
350 people were employed, by the mid 1970's that number had risen to
near 5,000; making Hoover the largest employer in the borough.
Production at Hoover Washing Machines ceased
on 13th March 2009.
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Click Here
For The
Official Opening of
Hoover Washing Machines |
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| Hoover Washing Machines - 1948. |
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| Hoover Washing Machines. in the 1950's. |
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Main Gate,
at the original factory building, (before various extensions)
(Photograph courtesy of Bill "Engine" Jones) |
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Click Here for
Hoover Transport
Department |
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| Aerial View. |
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Hoover - Aerial View.
Note the 'Triangle' in this
photograph.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Gareth Evans) |
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Hoover - Aerial View
(Photograph
Courtesy of Gareth Evans) |
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Hoover - Car Park
(Photograph
Courtesy of Gareth Evans) |
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Hoover Limited Merthyr Tydfil
(Photograph
Courtesy of Gareth Evans) |
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Hoover's Christmas Party -
1948.
Pictured is Doris Pittman she was
a typist secretary. No other names are known.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Paul Williams, Thanks to Moira O'Driscoll for identifying it) |
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Hoover factory floor and workforce 1949.
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Washing Machine No 2,000,000.
This photograph shows
David (Dai) Smith, from Penywern, Dowlais, receiving the 2 millionth Washing Machine.
David worked at Hoover for
30 years before retiring at 60.
(Thanks to his
Granddaughter
Alison Evans for the information.) |
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Main Stores
area in the 1950's.
At one time
goods were received and despatched by a rail link that can be seen on the
extreme right of the building. in fact this rail link was built especially
totransport the dignitaries visiting the opening ceremony.
(Photograph courtesy of Bill "Engine" Jones) |
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| Hoover - Fire Brigade - 1950's &
1960's |
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Lillian Watkins in 1953.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Jacqui Gibbons) |
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Hoover - Retirement of Tom
Oates - Presentation by Superintendent Ron Gordon
Front Row L-R:
Ron Garrett, Johnny Good, ?, Tom Oates, Ron
Gordon, Harry Passmore (Charge Hand), Len ? & Ken Winstone.
Second Row L-R: Jack Copper,
David Davies, David Price, Les Jenkins, Jack Hughes, Nickname - Big Mel,
Eric Phillips, Peter ?, Connie Walsh & Ken ?.
Back Row L-R:
Derek Brill (Me), John Griffiths, Tom Jones, Nickname - Bobby Bell, ?,
Colin McNally & Ronny Croak.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Derek Brill) |
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Hoover - Shop Opposite the
Factory
L-R:
Violet, Jean and Phyllis.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Dick Edwards) |
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Hoover - Girls Break Time -
1959
Do you know the
names of these ladies? If so, please contact us.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Dick Edwards) |
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Hoover Social Evening - 1959
L-R: Jean &
Dick Edwards, Brenda, ?, Phyllis, ?.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Dick Edwards) |
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The MP7
Despatch Department in 1961.
L-R: Derek
Evans, Tim Sullivan, Georgie Taylor, Jacky Kennedy, Les Jones, Tommy
"Curly".
The Clamp
trucks were specially built to lift the Keymatic washing machine.
(Photograph
courtesy of Derek Evans) |
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Hoover - Tabulating Department
- 1961
In the middle of
the front row is Barbara Jones.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Sandra Page) |
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Hoover Functions - Early 1960s
(Courtesy of Pat
Fearn) |
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Dinner Dance at Hoover Social Club
L-R: Pat Fearn, John Fearn, Jean, Alan Robbins,
Beryl & Mervyn Lambert. |
Dinner Dance at Hoover Social Club
L-R: John Fearn, Pat Fearn, Rose Dimet,
Peter Dimet & Eileen ? |
Girls from Purchasing Department
L-R: Joan Davies, Ron Davies, Vera Brake,
Cliff Brake, Muriel Mason, John Mason, Pat Fearn,
John Fearn, Betty ? & Ray. |
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Despatch Department in 1965.
Does anyone know the names?
 Janice
(Richards) Chuba, Emailed us from the U.S.A. and tells us that her uncle,
Watkin Richards is in the Photo |
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Walter Williams winning the
220yds race in 1960
(Photo courtesy of
Walter Williams) |
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| Hoover - 1965. |
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| John 'Q' Cureton sends us these
factory photographs from the late 1950s |
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Hoover Despatch Department -
1963.
Right top row is Colin Williams.
(Photograph
Courtesy of Colin Williams) |
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Hoover Despatch
Department - 1964.
5th from left, front
row is Colin Williams.
(Photograph Courtesy of Colin Williams) |
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Hoover - Toolmakers
(Photograph
Courtesy of Gareth Evans) |
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| Hoover Keymatics in the
Warehouse - 1960s |
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The Keymatic |
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Hoover Sports Day Parade
Through Merthyr Town Centre - Date Unknown
(Photograph
Courtesy of Phillip Roberts) |
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Hoover Dinner and Dance
Ken and Ivy Williams are
pictured.
(Photographs
Courtesy of Julie Williams) |
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Go to:
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Do you have
any photographs or information relating to Hoover, Merthyr Tydfil?
If so,
please contact us, by clicking the 'Contact Us' button. |
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