Description:Dorman Diesels factory floor on Tixall Road, prior to the factory being aquired by Perkins Engines Co Ltd.
This view is of the crankshaft machining line. The blue 'hut' on the left of the picture houses crack-detection equipment to check the crankshafts. The white room at the far left is temperature controlled and contains a Mitutoyo computerised measuring machine used to measure engine components.
Founded by William Henry Dorman in 1870 on Foregate Street, Dorman's began by manufacturing cutting tools for the footwear industry, but soon began to produce more specialised machinery such as printing, sewing and grinding machines.
In 1903 Dorman's produced their first internal combustion engine for the early motor car industry; this became the main activity of the company.
During the First World War the company was made a Controlled Establishment under the Conditions of War Act and made a notable contribution to the war effort, especially in the development of aerial warfare.
In 1929 Dorman's began to move part of the plant to Tixall Road. By 1939 the manufacture of engines for road use had ceased and the company began to concentrate on the production of industrial and marine engines. Also in this year the Ministry of Labour requisitioned the Foregate works for use as a training centre for engineers and the remainder of the plant transferred to Tixall Road.
In 1959 Dorman's bought the old established Stafford engineering firm of W.H. Bagnall's Ltd. Dorman's was taken over by the English Electric Company in 1961. In the 1990's, the factory was aquired by Perkins Engines Co Ltd.