MARTIN Pritchard from Porthmadog was reminded recently about a typewriter factory in Porthmadog.

The Smith Corona Typewriter Factory Porthmadog was built in 1965 and closed in the 1980s.

“I had a pamphlet about the Smith Corona factory in Porthmadog which celebrated its 500,000th typewriter produced at the factory,” Martin said.

“Hopefully this might bring back some memories.”

Martin writes: “In 1965 due to the popularity and the demand for typewriters, Smith Corona expanded their West Bromwich factory in the Midlands, also building a new factory at Porthmadog.

“The typewriters were exported to 67 different countries until the early 1980s when the typewriter business collapsed due to the introduction of PC-based word processing.

“From the start, the factory at Porthmadog employed around 237, working from 8.30am to 4.30pm, five days per week. There were two production lines, producing 280 typewriters per day.

“Included in the staff were production line workers, store persons, canteen staff, drivers, cleaners and two designated trainers working in the training section on the factory floor. The trainers were Dafydd W Jones and Dafydd Williams, both from Tremadog.

“It is said that the wages were good compared with other jobs in the area at that time, providing a clean, warm job in a healthy working environment.

“The company also offered a scheme to encourage the workforce to have a weekly money savings account.

“Parts to be assembled were transported from the West Bromwich plant to Porthmadog two or three times a week, the lorry then returning with a full load of complete typewriters.

“By the early 1970s the factory had produced their 500,000th typewriter, organising an open day for local people to attend to celebrate the achievement.

“By 1971 the production had gone down to one line still employing around 100 people, but by July 1979 still employing around 100, the plant ceased production. All staff were made redundant and the factory closed down. In the 1980s the site was sold to Bass Charrington, which used it as a distribution depot to deliver their goods to local businesses.

“The canteen was made into a shop to sell goods from the Gelert outdoor clothing range. The whole factory site was demolished in the 2000s for the building of the Lidl store.”

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