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The Ardrossan Oilskin Works
Harbour Road, Ardrossan. (Situated across from Old HM Customs building)
Fire broke out causing a considerable amount of damage.
The Oilskin works, established in 1897 by the late Bailie Wm. J Savage, and have specialised for almost 50 years in the manufacture of oilskin clothing for mercantile marine and fishermen, agricultural and industrial outdoor workers, etc including the various types of coloured oilskins for civilian wear.
The business has also been engaged in production of oilskin garments supplied to the admiralty, and other departments during the two wars
When a very considerable and helpful share of urgently needed oilskins was supplied for H.M. Ships on the high seas.
In the interesting process of making the oilskin, the cotton comes into the works in the grey Calico or Wigan Loom state.
Then passes through a process of proofing and drying with linseed oil compositions, cutting and machining into garments, then hand oil coating to cover needle perforations and render absolutely watertight, then finally a finishing process, and curing process, when the garment is ready for use.
The markets in peacetime are not confined locally, but Ardrossan made oilskins under the trade name of: "Aroilco" are worn in all parts of Great Britain and throughout the world
During that time a good trade is done in export to Denmark and Scandinavian countries.
Update:
1960
The old building, a warren of corridors and rooms, all internal walls and floors constructed with wood, wiring was old lead covered cables, which were constantly giving problems, I spent many hours replacing old wiring, the building was a potential tinderbox.
This brick building was demolished in 1962
At that time the tenant was Messers Kerr & Co Furniture Storeage & Furniture Removals, or "Flittings" as they say.
This cleared area made way for the Northern Ireland Trailer Shed (NIT)
Findlay and Harry McDonald worked here (Trailer maintenance)
* Only one other old building remained standing next to the Railway Crossing, and was called Peter Douglas, Stables
Tennants during the 60's and onwards were: Norse Fabrications, Engineering construction and Irvine Movements, furniture storage
* See Building location map:
"Local Stories/1920 Oilskin Works"
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