Rushden Research Group: Norris Industries

Norris Industries


Photo by A J George, courtesy of Clive Wood	A letterhead from 1940

The original company was established by a Mr Stafford, in Higham Ferrers in 1870, working as a service engineer for local tanneries, and also making large wooden tanning drums.

After World War I, the firm was under the control of Cyril Norris and had established a wide range of tanning and finishing equipment. "Norris Industires" also had a world-wide reputation for the quality of their re-built machines.

In 1962 Mr Norris sold the company to John White Footwear Holdings, and as some of the traditional air driers were being replaced by gas heated processing machines, so the company diversified into other specialised machinery. They held agencies for regional distribution of electrical components for GEC Electric Motors, Dewrance Valves, Mono Pumps, Cutler Hammer Control Systems, and Opperman Gears. They were also making specialised test boards for a number of Electricity Boards in the United Kingdom.

In 1967 Cyril Norris retired and Walter Landmann took over running the company. This also saw the acquisition of Universal Industrial Appliances (UIA), makers of industrial floor cleaners, and vaccuum cleaners. New premises were built in Irchester Road, Rushden, in anticipation of further growth after they acquired Sterling Industries Kent Panda Cleaning Machines, and was now called UIA Panda Division.

Advert of congratulations for Strong & Fisher's Jubilee 1982

Notes by H Packwood in 1988:

Norris & Son - Previously owned Safford, Wellingborough Road. Norris' began in a small way making machines for the Leather Industry. I think I am right in stating that Norris' were the first firm to fit a gearbox to a leather drum instead of it being driven from line shafting.

At the outbreak of the 1939 war Norris' were commissioned to recondition lathes from A. Herbert’s of Coventry; this was a totally different job from currying machines.

At the end of the war a partner joined the firm - Mr. J. Orme and all the dies etc. were made for the Rosebud Doll factory at Raunds. Mr. Orme then left to start on his own taking a number of skilled men with him and made machines for the plastic industry.

The skilled men who moved were:-

Mr. G. Longland, Mr. R. Walker, and Mr. E. Houghton.

Their work consisted mainly of cones for road works and anything connected with the plastic industry. They still have a factory in Duck Street and one in Park Road.

I think that Smiths Containers Ltd was started from these factories.