Description:This view shows the Asquith Machining Centre in the Turbine Generator Division on the former Main Works site on Lichfield Road, Stafford.
The Asquith, whilst still large, was a smaller version of the Innocenti machine. It was located in 108 section wide bay in the original Siemens part of the works. It 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 used for a wide range of medium sized milling work on smaller rotors, stators and bed plates.
In the photograph there are two 4 pole rotors set up on the bed plate for machining. That was an advantage of that type of machine with a large bed area in that whilst one component was being machined another could be either being set up for machining or be dismantled after. The Asquith was replaced in the 1980s by a more modern CNC version.
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 (April 2022) as part of the GE (General Electric) group.
Thank you to Mr Chris Coates for the information on the Asquith Machining Centre.