English Electric Co., Stafford

Description:This view shows the Innocenti machine in 112 Shop, in the Turbine Generator Division on the former Main Works site on Lichfield Road, Stafford.

The Innocenti machine was principally used for rotor slotting but could also be used for machining stator frame feet and cooler aperture faces. The rotor on the left of the picture could be one of the 500’s or possibly for Cockenzie or Longgannet Power Stations which were going through at that time.

The machine was part of the early 1960s modernisation when there was a full order book and heavy electrical machinery was increasing in size and output very rapidly. It was located at what was then the eastern end of 112 Shop, the Heavy Machine Shop, in what eventually became Generator Division. It abutted, at 90 degrees, the Switchgear Erection Shops and the lights in the shop offices can be seen beyond the machine. As was quite common in the factory the space between building supporting columns was used for shop offices. In the modernisation of the 1970s and 1980s 112 shop was extended beyond the Innocenti to accommodate a purpose built rotor slotter and eventually it was replaced by another dual purpose machine.

The Stafford Works was renowned for its electrical equipment products including generators, transformers and switchgear. Siemens Brothers purchased land by the Lichfield Road in 1901 and built a 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 this in turn became part of ALSTOM with global HQ in Paris and on 2 November 2015 the Stafford Grid and Power Businesses became part of GE (General Electric, an American Company).

During 2020 and 2021 the former Main Works site was demolished and the site cleared for redevelopment. However, on a neighbouring site the Transformer Works remains and is still operational (February 2022) as part of the GE (General Electric) group.

Thank you to Mr Chris Coates for the information on the Innocenti machine.