- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
- Messages
- 228
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History;
The company was founded by Raymond Swallow on the present site at Bookhurst Hill, Cranleigh in 1860.
Originally the company produced bricks and clay pots which were transported to London by canal. Raymond Swallow was asked to manufacture roof tiles by a building contractor and the foundations were laid for a thriving local business supplying the immediate area with the hand-made tiles.
As recently as the 1950s the clay was dug by hand and transported to the factory buildings by means of a narrow gauge railway where the tempering of the material was carried out by steam powered machinery.
After hand moulding, the tiles are carried to a nearby drying area where they rest for 2 days before being turned over to their final drying position. This drying process is by warmed air and can take up to 13 weeks.
Following the drying, the tiles are transferred to the traditional kilns which up until the early 1970s were fuelled by Welsh steam coal. More recently they were fired by natural gas.
The company thrived throughout the 20th century and the management passed from one generation of the Swallow family to the next. Unfortunately the old fashioned process of hand making, drying and firing the tiles combined with the excessive use of energy meant that the company found it difficult to be competitive in the market place.
Plans were in place to modernise but unfortunately these plans never came into fruition and the business closed on 30th April 2008.
The company was founded by Raymond Swallow on the present site at Bookhurst Hill, Cranleigh in 1860.
Originally the company produced bricks and clay pots which were transported to London by canal. Raymond Swallow was asked to manufacture roof tiles by a building contractor and the foundations were laid for a thriving local business supplying the immediate area with the hand-made tiles.
As recently as the 1950s the clay was dug by hand and transported to the factory buildings by means of a narrow gauge railway where the tempering of the material was carried out by steam powered machinery.
After hand moulding, the tiles are carried to a nearby drying area where they rest for 2 days before being turned over to their final drying position. This drying process is by warmed air and can take up to 13 weeks.
Following the drying, the tiles are transferred to the traditional kilns which up until the early 1970s were fuelled by Welsh steam coal. More recently they were fired by natural gas.
The company thrived throughout the 20th century and the management passed from one generation of the Swallow family to the next. Unfortunately the old fashioned process of hand making, drying and firing the tiles combined with the excessive use of energy meant that the company found it difficult to be competitive in the market place.
Plans were in place to modernise but unfortunately these plans never came into fruition and the business closed on 30th April 2008.
1.
2. The once Welsh steam coal fired kilns.
3. Kilns then and now.
4.
5. Step 1, knock wall down. Step 2, remove kiln.
6. Old fitters shop.
7. Drying area.
8. The once steam driven bevel gears.
9.
10. Tile moulding and drying area.
11. Fittings drying area then and now.
12. Tile drying area then and now.
13.
14. Vast tile storage area.
15. Tile production. Each mans quota was 800 tiles a day.
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17.
18.
19.
2. The once Welsh steam coal fired kilns.
3. Kilns then and now.
4.
5. Step 1, knock wall down. Step 2, remove kiln.
6. Old fitters shop.
7. Drying area.
8. The once steam driven bevel gears.
9.
10. Tile moulding and drying area.
11. Fittings drying area then and now.
12. Tile drying area then and now.
13.
14. Vast tile storage area.
15. Tile production. Each mans quota was 800 tiles a day.
16.
17.
18.
19.
