History
Previously known as the Fibres Division of the Bunzl Corporation, the factory was founded in Jarrow (South Tyneside) in 1948 to meet the growing worldwide demands of cigarette filter production after the recent discovery of the link between tobacco and cancer. In just 10 years, production increased 12 fold, and soon the new 'American Filtrona' Corporation was set up by 1964, becoming the exclusive supplier to Imperial Tobacco and the Gallagher Group - supplying brands such as Lambert & Butler, Benson & Hedges, Mayfair and Sterling to name but a few.
The factory grew from strength to strength and also tried its hand in the plastic and packaging department - producing 'easy tear' sellotape and foam packing at the site also.
The 2007 Smoking Ban played a big part in the demise of the factory, and as smoking habits in the UK dramatically changed, Essentra Filtrona decided in July 2015 to move operations to Hungary - with the factory to close in November 2015.
There was outrage locally as the company decided to use its Hungarian Workforce to strip the machinery from the factory and not keep their Jarrow staff in the operation - some who have been employed their for over 40 years.
A small portion of the site is still in use, researching and developing electronic cigarettes.
Previously known as the Fibres Division of the Bunzl Corporation, the factory was founded in Jarrow (South Tyneside) in 1948 to meet the growing worldwide demands of cigarette filter production after the recent discovery of the link between tobacco and cancer. In just 10 years, production increased 12 fold, and soon the new 'American Filtrona' Corporation was set up by 1964, becoming the exclusive supplier to Imperial Tobacco and the Gallagher Group - supplying brands such as Lambert & Butler, Benson & Hedges, Mayfair and Sterling to name but a few.
The factory grew from strength to strength and also tried its hand in the plastic and packaging department - producing 'easy tear' sellotape and foam packing at the site also.
The 2007 Smoking Ban played a big part in the demise of the factory, and as smoking habits in the UK dramatically changed, Essentra Filtrona decided in July 2015 to move operations to Hungary - with the factory to close in November 2015.
There was outrage locally as the company decided to use its Hungarian Workforce to strip the machinery from the factory and not keep their Jarrow staff in the operation - some who have been employed their for over 40 years.
A small portion of the site is still in use, researching and developing electronic cigarettes.
Report
I've been watching this place for quite a while, however on many previous visits there was a lot of staff at the factory, presumably finishing admin and removing the equipment and machinery. I believe a lot of the equipment has been moved into a large warehouse on the site close to the part still in use for removal to Hungary.
On this occasion it didn't look like there were too many people about, so tried our chances and hit lucky.
The factory stretches as far as the eye can see, close to the Tyne Dock. It is a large site comprising of Factory Units, Offices, Workshops, Labs and Warehouses. Some of the cameras and sensors beeped but we chose to ignore them.
There was a refreshing mix of new and old in the factory. Some parts had clearly been disused for a while, whilst some looked as if people were still on their tea-break. Possibly they were.
It was certainly a surprise to find the place lit up and powered on. Generators and Control Panels buzzed, fans whirred and some parts were still heated.
Some of the older parts of the factory housed a lot of records.
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It's always nice to see a place un-chavved. There was a good mix of natural decay and pristine 'lick the floor' kinda places here.
The main 1950's part of the factory was really impressive - with fantastic brutalist designs and 1960's colours that seem to have been retained throughout it's life.
The smell of chemicals in some of these rooms were very overpowering, there were literally tanks and vats of them.
Some of the labs and workshops also contained various product samples and trials.
There was also a lot of offices. There were plenty of PIR's beeping in this part.
With Mr Security on a break it seemed rude not to pay him a visit.
He must have nipped out for a sarnie or something.
Krypton I've been watching this place for quite a while, however on many previous visits there was a lot of staff at the factory, presumably finishing admin and removing the equipment and machinery. I believe a lot of the equipment has been moved into a large warehouse on the site close to the part still in use for removal to Hungary.
On this occasion it didn't look like there were too many people about, so tried our chances and hit lucky.
The factory stretches as far as the eye can see, close to the Tyne Dock. It is a large site comprising of Factory Units, Offices, Workshops, Labs and Warehouses. Some of the cameras and sensors beeped but we chose to ignore them.
There was a refreshing mix of new and old in the factory. Some parts had clearly been disused for a while, whilst some looked as if people were still on their tea-break. Possibly they were.
It was certainly a surprise to find the place lit up and powered on. Generators and Control Panels buzzed, fans whirred and some parts were still heated.
Some of the older parts of the factory housed a lot of records.
[
It's always nice to see a place un-chavved. There was a good mix of natural decay and pristine 'lick the floor' kinda places here.
The main 1950's part of the factory was really impressive - with fantastic brutalist designs and 1960's colours that seem to have been retained throughout it's life.
The smell of chemicals in some of these rooms were very overpowering, there were literally tanks and vats of them.
Some of the labs and workshops also contained various product samples and trials.
There was also a lot of offices. There were plenty of PIR's beeping in this part.
With Mr Security on a break it seemed rude not to pay him a visit.
He must have nipped out for a sarnie or something.
