Report - Coventry Radiator and Presswork Company aka 'CovRad' - July/August 2021

[raisinwing]

Quality is that, places like this are few and far between these days.

 

[mockney reject]

Really nice this

 

[Covanto]

Some more bread and butter exploring for you all.

First some history on the site.

The Jackson family founded Coventry Radiator and Presswork Company in 1890. The first premises in Trafalgar Street, produced parts for the burgeoning motor industry. Expansion took the company to this site at Canley in 1930. Press shops three and four were constructed in 1954 and 1962 respectively and the company soon became the largest manufacturer of radiators in Britain.
The first takeover of the company was in 1965. The new name was Associated Engineering and a period of unrest caused by further corporate battles led to further name changes. In 1980 the company split and the Presswork division became Armstrong Equipment followed by Armstrong Presswork in 1985 and latterly 'CovPress' which is still just about going today as Liberty Pressings. The radiator side of the business became CovRad and was later bought out by API Heat Transfer who closed the 'CovRad' works in early 2021.

Il mainly let the photos do the talking with this one. Essentially I heard it was finally closing, went down for a look, got in quite easily and had a decent explore. The works is much bigger than what you see here but most is still in use by Liberty. (I'm pretty sure it wont be long until that section closes as well tho!) The good thing about the CovRad section is that it is both the oldest part and also contains all of the original offices/board rooms etc. This creates a slightly lopsided explore with little in the way of shop floor manufacturing epic but a boat load of 1930s wood paneled office goodness.

After one successful trip solo I returned with @dweeb but it seemed as if the pikeys had found the place too as lots of the nice areas had had the smashy smashy treatment looking for copper pipe. More recently CCTV has appeared. I'm guessing it will all be houses before too long and another relic of Coventry's once vast motor industry will have gone for good.

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Excellent post my cousin worked there it’s only about 2 miles from where I live

 

[Novice Explorer]

Now this one I do like! You Don't often see ones where the vandals aren't there first this is immaculate! Love that coloured checkered floor!Great find keep up the good work!

 

[padna]

I visited the site recently and it has since been completely demolished, which is a great shame as it was one of the better ones