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Hoover 

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.

 
Hoover Washing Machines - 1948.

       
 
Hoover Washing Machines. in the 1950's.

 

 

Main Gate, at the original factory building, (before various extensions)

(Photograph courtesy of Bill "Engine" Jones)

Hoover_Pentrebach_Trucks_Merthyr.JPG (133842 bytes)

  

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Hoover Transport

Department
 
 
Aerial View.

 

Hoover - Aerial View.

Note the 'Triangle' in this photograph.

(Photograph Courtesy of Gareth Evans)

 

Hoover - Aerial View

(Photograph Courtesy of Gareth Evans)

 

Hoover - Car Park

(Photograph Courtesy of Gareth Evans)

 

Hoover Limited Merthyr Tydfil

(Photograph Courtesy of Gareth Evans)

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)

Hoover factory floor and workforce 1949.

Hoover_FactoryFloorAndWorkforce_1949.JPG (115802 bytes)
 

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.)

 

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)

Hoover_Pentrebach_Factory_.JPG (206661 bytes)
 

Lillian Watkins in 1953.

(Photograph Courtesy of Jacqui Gibbons)

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)

Pentrebach_Hoover_MP7_DespatchDept_1961.JPG (153555 bytes)
 

Despatch Department in 1965. 

Does anyone know the names?

Watkin Richards
Janice (Richards) Chuba, Emailed us from the U.S.A. and tells us that her uncle, Watkin Richards is in the Photo

 
 

 

Walter Williams winning the 220yds race in 1960

(Photo courtesy of Walter Williams)

 
Hoover - 1965.

 

Hoover Despatch Department - 1963.

Right top row is Colin Williams.

(Photograph Courtesy of Colin Williams)

 

Hoover Despatch Department - 1964.

5th from left, front row is Colin Williams.

(Photograph Courtesy of Colin Williams)

 

Hoover - Toolmakers

(Photograph Courtesy of Gareth Evans)

 
Hoover Keymatics in the Warehouse - 1960s
    The Keymatic  

 
 

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