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Original Text (Annotation: EAW025983 / 964447)
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W H DORMAN & CO LTD
Company formed by William Henry Dorman in 1870 making cutting tools for the footwear industry.
1903 diversified into internal combustion engines. This was the main product up to 1961.
The lease on the company's existing foundry premises at Newport Road was to expire in 1929 and the 48 acre site at Tixall Road was purchased.
The company manufactured the motors for the "rail tractors" known under the name Simplex.
1949- new 2 bay building at the back of the site - new foundry - built on a concrete raft to prevent subsidence into the Sow flood plain.
1959- Dorman merged with the neighbouring factory of W.G. Bagnall
1961 taken over by the English Electric Company.
Trademark Dorman remained in use until 1995.
1968 Owned by General Electric Company plc
In 1994 the business was sold to Perkins Engines and the Dorman name was dropped in 1995.
The workforce has dropped from a peak of about 1600 to around 200.
(Note that the company has no connection with Dorman Engineering Co of Northampton)
Source: Wikipedia [[W.H.Dorman & Co]]
See also centenary booklet issued 1970, and website
http://dorman-association.webplus.net/page3.html
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