The British Needle Company Archives
The museum holds a large archive pertaining to the British Needle Company, but the photographs came separately in the form of two albums which had been rescued by a former employee of the company.
The albums were passed on to a local historian, Alan Foxall, who then offered them for sale, and they were subsequently bought for the museum by the Friends of Forge Mill.
These photographs offer a unique snapshot into the life of a Redditch needle company showing how the company evolved and prospered over four decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s. The workers are named, and the images show the job that they are doing. To give a direct comparison of how the company modernised, the photographs are grouped together showing the main needlemaking processes in a more logical way than was originally presented in the albums.
To give a slightly more rounded picture of the company we have used the museum’s own archives to delve a little deeper into certain facets of the company’s life. What is revealed is their passion, belief and pride in their own products, and care and interest in the welfare of their workforce.
This archive project was kindly sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers
The Process of Making Needles
Pointing
The pointing process puts the points on the end of the needles.
Stamping and Power Press Shops
Here you can see the process of ‘stamping’ or forming the needle eyes.
Eyeing
This is the process of punching through the eyes of the needle.
Heading and Grinding
Heading removes excess metal from around the eyes once stamped, and grinding smoothed off the heads of the needles.
Hardening
The needles are now hardened and tempered.
Scouring
The process by which needles are cleaned and polished.
The Old ‘AG’ Workshop
The AG Workshop was where the packaging was made.
Cloth Sticking
The needles are ‘stuck’ into cloth strips prior to being put into packets.
Packing and Needle Case Making
Inspection, weighing and wrapping of the needles.
Gramophone Needles
The British Needle Company also manufactured high quality gramophone needles.
The Tool Room
An essential part of any needle factory.
Warehouse and Distribution
Despatching the needles to all parts of the world.
The Company, Staff and Related Items
Brief History of the British Needle Company
A summary of the company’s founding, through to its sale in 1972.
The Premises
Photographs of the building and its development from 1925 to 1959.
Office Staff
Some of the office and clerical staff who worked at the company.
Social Activities
Images showing aspects of the company’s social activities.
Worshipful Company of Needlemakers
One of the ancient London Guilds, given its charter by Oliver Cromwell in 1656.
Products, Design and Marketing
Examples of products and marketing from the British Needle Company.
Princess Margaret’s tour of the British Needle Company
Photographs from HRH Princess Margaret’s visits to the company in 1962.
Human Resources 1940s/50s Style
An insight into what it was like working at the British Needle Company.
01527 62509
Forge Mill Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre
Needle Mill Lane
Riverside
Redditch
B98 8HY
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