English Electric Co., Stafford

Description:This Pickfords vehicle is an American Diamond T straight 8 cylinder diesel ready to transport the large stator (which is seen all packed up on the low loader) from the factory to its destination. The English Electric Co.'s Lichfield Road Site in Stafford was renowned for its electrical products including generators, transformers and switchgear.

The large building in the background is part of the factory known as 112 Shop. The building on the left with traces of war-time camouflage paint is the Estates Division Accounts and Finance offices (later known as Site Services Accounts) and the Site Printing and Reprographic Department.

This image is taken from a glass negative donated to the Staffordshire County Museum by Alstom Power, Lichfield Road, Stafford.

Siemens Brothers purchased the land in 1901 and built the factory and offices which were ready to start production in 1903. In 1918 Siemens merged with several companies, including Dick, Kerr and Co., to become the English Electric Co. Two years later in 1920, The English Electric Co bought the Stafford Works. The English Electric Co merged with GEC (The General Electric Company) during 1968 and the Lichfield Road Site became part of GEC Power Engineering Ltd. On 22 March 1989 became part of GEC ALSTHOM, an Anglo French Joint Venture. On 22 June 1998 became part of ALSTOM with global HQ in Paris and to date (June 2014) continues to be part of the ALSTOM Group.