The Arrol-Johnston Motor Co., which had been in operation since 1896, opened its Dumfries factory at Heathhall in July 1913. The manager, Thomas Charles Pullinger, had been inspired by the Albert Kahn designed factories of Henry Ford in America. Kahn provided the design for the Dumfries factory, and it bears more than a passing resemblance to Ford's Highland Park factory in Detroit. The Heathhall factory was said to be the most advanced light engineering factory of its day in Scotland.
The site was purchased by the North British Rubber Company in 1946. It then became Uniroyal Ltd in the 60's, and in 1987 changed yet again to the British subsidiary of the Gates Rubber Company. It has been known as Interfloor since 2002.
The building, which made carpet underlay, closed in 2013 with the loss of 53 jobs - although it appears a lot of the site was disused long before then. Much has been cleared but Kahn's original buildings still survive. Surprisingly, some of this place is covered by CCTV - so watch out if you're planning on visiting. Sadly, most of the buildings have been stripped out.
Krypton
The site was purchased by the North British Rubber Company in 1946. It then became Uniroyal Ltd in the 60's, and in 1987 changed yet again to the British subsidiary of the Gates Rubber Company. It has been known as Interfloor since 2002.
The building, which made carpet underlay, closed in 2013 with the loss of 53 jobs - although it appears a lot of the site was disused long before then. Much has been cleared but Kahn's original buildings still survive. Surprisingly, some of this place is covered by CCTV - so watch out if you're planning on visiting. Sadly, most of the buildings have been stripped out.
Krypton
