The End of Production and Closure of the Works

It had been hoped that Andrew Somerville would succeed his father after retirement, but sadly he died from a brain tumour and so his brother Alastair took over instead. Unfortunately over the last few years there has been a reduction in sales and the decision was taken to end nail and tack production on 23rd December 2004. The company will continue to exist as a nail distributor, buying-in nails and tacks and selling them under their world famous “Lion Brand”.

The front building in November 2004 displaying a "For Sale" sign.

It was a sad time for the workforce, most of whom had 20 to 25 years service at the works. Ken Farrington summed it up by saying “I will miss them, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. We had a wonderful relationship with everyone, they were loyal and honest, it will be heartbreaking”.

The company was the last surviving tack manufacturer in the country, but at least some of the Wolverhampton built tack machines will survive.
Thankfully before the machines were scrapped the Black Country Living Museum took five of them and an autofeed. At the moment they are in store and will eventually form the nucleus of a working exhibit showing the manufacture of cut-nails. 

One of the machines has to be the oldest surviving cut-nail machine in the country and it is a Wolverhampton product. The Museum also has two of the small Lloyd tack machines and an autofeed; the machine opposite and a low-down machine from the 1920s.

Although manufacturing has now ceased at the company it will continue to be remembered by future generations who will visit the Black Country Living Museum and see cut-nail making for themselves. 
A nail machine from the 1870s that has gone to the Black Country Living Museum.
Luckily during the last two months of production Arthur Lockwood, an accomplished artist was on hand to accurately record the rapidly disappearing scene. His paintings will live on as a fitting tribute to a once great Wolverhampton industry.
View some of Arthur Lockwood's paintings
of the works.
In Memoriam. The end of a once great industry
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Later Years		 Return to
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