History

1860

• Victoria Mill was built on a green field site adjacent to the Leeds and Liverpool canal
• Chosen for the weaving of cotton which arrived from America into the port of Liverpool and was then shipped by barge directly to the mill
• 200 looms operated on the site and the growing workforce required local accommodation which was provided for by the building of terraced properties on Bonsall Street, Percy Street and Stanley Range

• The Dukinfield based company of William Kenyon and Sons purchased the property and began the production of fire resistant and thermal insulation products using Vermiculite and Cork as raw materials
• Within a few years the production of Cork ceased and the main product became ‘Vicuclad’ which is a vermiculite and silicate bound fire protection board or moulded component.

• The fire protection business and the Blackburn site was sold to TAC, a Manchester based board and roofing manufacturer, who subsequently sold the business to Eternit UK.

• Promat International bought the UK business of Cape and as a result of this acquisition Promat UK took over the operation of the Blackburn manufacturing site.

2005

• The development of the Blackburn site, in terms of products and building investment, continues with the latest addition being the major undertaking of replacing the warehouse roof.

2007

• Over the next three years the business continued to develop and improve its range of products and invested a total of £850,000 to improve overall operational efficency and profitability

• Promat UK invested in excess of £3M in a new process line for Promat DURASTEEL^®, to help improve the efficiency of the business and to help secure the site’s long-term future.