Wrexham Industrial Estate
Encyclopedia
The Wrexham Industrial Estate is an industrial
estate in the north of Wales
, situated in the county of Wrexham
on the eastern outskirts of the town. Originally the site of a Word War II munitions factory, the estate later became known as the Wrexham Trading Estate. It has now grown to cover approximately 550 hectares (1,359 acre) and in geographical terms is one of the largest industrial estates in Europe. There are around 300 businesses, providing employment for approximately 7000 people
, ROF Wrexham, during World War II
. The site employed 13,000 workers. The factory made cordite
, an explosive propellent for shells. The site was chosen for its distance from German bomber bases in Europe while having good rail networks and a rural location that provided a good supply of labour. The complex was spread over a large area to minimise any damage from aerial attack. The main buildings were camouflaged and existing farm buildings were left in situ to help protect the site against reconnaissance. Many of the original buildings can still be seen today and still house smaller businesses on the estate, these can be distinguished from the 1950s buildings by large grids near the roof, essential for ventilation of the buildings.
The Ministry of Works built a large water abstraction and treatment plant at Sesswick on the River Dee
, just to supply the plant, which was amalgamated into the Wrexham Water Company (now Dee Valley Water
) in 1951.
To connect the site to the national rail network, a large marshalling yard of 10 separate roads, and these connected to the works internal network of rail lines. A passenger platform was built for military usage. All the cordite produced at the plant was taken by these sidings, along the Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway and then to Crewe. For shunting works, locomotives with diesel engines were used instead of steam as they were less likely to ignite any stray cordite, however it is known the works had possession of an 1859 0-4-0ST known as Victory.
The site was well defended, both on the ground and from the air, several Type 22 Pillboxes and Type 24 Pillboxes still remain in the area, found in areas untouched by modern industrial developments, and the entire site was under a mile away from RAF Wrexham
, which was home to at least one fighter squadron, for defending the regions industrial assets from bomber attack.
After the war, the need for cordite ceased, and in 1945 the production facilities at Wrexham closed . Much of the buildings were left in place, abandoned, and agriculture again took over the fields surrounding the area.
opened a large acetate yarn factory on the site. Other large companies that came to Wrexham in later years were Firestone (closed in the 1970s), Kellogs, JCB, Owens Corning, (closed in 2002), and BICC Cables.
The Welsh Development Agency
officially made the area an industrial estate, subsidising businesses to move there in an effort to ensure stability of employment and to counter the effects of the recession Wrexham suffered in the 1960s and 1970s.
By 1990, the British Celanese factory had been sold to Courtalds PLC
, who remained here until the sale of the last remaining building, Redwither Tower, to Wrexham Council, who re-opened the building and the surrounding area as Redwither Business Park with several commercial offices in Redwither Tower itself.
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Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
estate in the north of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, situated in the county of Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
on the eastern outskirts of the town. Originally the site of a Word War II munitions factory, the estate later became known as the Wrexham Trading Estate. It has now grown to cover approximately 550 hectares (1,359 acre) and in geographical terms is one of the largest industrial estates in Europe. There are around 300 businesses, providing employment for approximately 7000 people
ROF Wrexham
The Wrexham Industrial Estate had its origins as an Royal Ordnance FactoryRoyal Ordnance Factory
Royal Ordnance Factories was the collective name of the UK government's munitions factories in and after World War II. Until privatisation in 1987 they were the responsibility of the Ministry of Supply and later the Ministry of Defence....
, ROF Wrexham, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The site employed 13,000 workers. The factory made cordite
Cordite
Cordite is a family of smokeless propellants developed and produced in the United Kingdom from 1889 to replace gunpowder as a military propellant. Like gunpowder, cordite is classified as a low explosive because of its slow burning rates and consequently low brisance...
, an explosive propellent for shells. The site was chosen for its distance from German bomber bases in Europe while having good rail networks and a rural location that provided a good supply of labour. The complex was spread over a large area to minimise any damage from aerial attack. The main buildings were camouflaged and existing farm buildings were left in situ to help protect the site against reconnaissance. Many of the original buildings can still be seen today and still house smaller businesses on the estate, these can be distinguished from the 1950s buildings by large grids near the roof, essential for ventilation of the buildings.
The Ministry of Works built a large water abstraction and treatment plant at Sesswick on the River Dee
River Dee, Wales
The River Dee is a long river in the United Kingdom. It travels through Wales and England and also forms part of the border between the two countries....
, just to supply the plant, which was amalgamated into the Wrexham Water Company (now Dee Valley Water
Dee Valley Water
Dee Valley Water / Dŵr Dyffryn Dyfrdwy is a company which supplies drinking water services to parts of North East Wales and parts of North West England...
) in 1951.
To connect the site to the national rail network, a large marshalling yard of 10 separate roads, and these connected to the works internal network of rail lines. A passenger platform was built for military usage. All the cordite produced at the plant was taken by these sidings, along the Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway and then to Crewe. For shunting works, locomotives with diesel engines were used instead of steam as they were less likely to ignite any stray cordite, however it is known the works had possession of an 1859 0-4-0ST known as Victory.
The site was well defended, both on the ground and from the air, several Type 22 Pillboxes and Type 24 Pillboxes still remain in the area, found in areas untouched by modern industrial developments, and the entire site was under a mile away from RAF Wrexham
RAF Wrexham
RAF Wrexham was a World War II Royal Air Force station at Borras, on the outskirts of Wrexham North Wales and east of the city centre.Initially opened as a municipal aerodrome the airfield was used by the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and the Royal Air Force in World War II...
, which was home to at least one fighter squadron, for defending the regions industrial assets from bomber attack.
After the war, the need for cordite ceased, and in 1945 the production facilities at Wrexham closed . Much of the buildings were left in place, abandoned, and agriculture again took over the fields surrounding the area.
The Postwar period
The large amounts of abandoned ordnance buildings attracted smaller businesses, however, in the 1950s, British CelaneseBritish Celanese
British Celanese was a chemical company based in England. Formed in 1918 it survived as an independent company until 1957 when it became a subsidiary of Courtaulds.-History:...
opened a large acetate yarn factory on the site. Other large companies that came to Wrexham in later years were Firestone (closed in the 1970s), Kellogs, JCB, Owens Corning, (closed in 2002), and BICC Cables.
The Welsh Development Agency
Welsh Development Agency
The Welsh Development Agency was a QUANGO and later an Assembly Sponsored Public Body established in 1976 to encourage business development and investment in Wales, to clear derelict land and to encourage growth of local businesses...
officially made the area an industrial estate, subsidising businesses to move there in an effort to ensure stability of employment and to counter the effects of the recession Wrexham suffered in the 1960s and 1970s.
By 1990, the British Celanese factory had been sold to Courtalds PLC
Courtaulds
Courtaulds was a United Kingdom-based manufacturer of fabric, clothing, artificial fibres, and chemicals.-Foundation:The Company was founded by George Courtauld and his cousin Peter Taylor in 1794 as a silk, crepe and textile business at Pebmarsh in north Essex trading as George Courtauld & Co...
, who remained here until the sale of the last remaining building, Redwither Tower, to Wrexham Council, who re-opened the building and the surrounding area as Redwither Business Park with several commercial offices in Redwither Tower itself.
Present times
The current estate covers some 550 hectares (1,359 acre) of land, with more than 7000 employees in over 300 businesses including Kellogg's and JCBJ. C. Bamford
JCB is a global construction, demolition and agricultural equipment company headquartered in Rocester, United Kingdom. It is the world's third-largest construction equipment manufacturer. It produces over 300 types of machines, including diggers , excavators, tractors and diesel engines...
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Companies
- Kelloggs - produces the more 'health-oriented' of their range of cereals - All-BranAll-BranAll-Bran is a very high-bran, high-fibre, wheat bran breakfast cereal manufactured by Kellogg's and marketed as an aid to digestive health.-History:It was introduced in 1916. It was sold in a red and green packet, similar to most Kellogg's cereals...
, Bran Flakes, Special KSpecial KSpecial K is a lightly toasted breakfast cereal manufactured by the Kellogg Company. The cereal was introduced to the United States in 1956. It is made primarily from rice and wheat....
, Optiva. The rest of Kelloggs produce in the UK is made on Trafford ParkTrafford ParkTrafford Park is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford, in Greater Manchester, England. Located opposite Salford Quays, on the southern side of the Manchester Ship Canal, it is west-southwest of Manchester city centre, and north of Stretford. Until the late 19th century it was the...
.