Monument record 1160/433 - The Express Lifts Co

Known as The Abbey Works and built by Smith, Major & Stevens. The company merged in 1930 with the Express Lifts Co, part of the General Electric Co., and was thereafter known as Express Lifts. The factory complex was built in three main phases: 1910, 1917-8 and 1940-1. The factory was enlarged in both World Wars for the production of ammunition.

{2} Production of specialised equipment or manufacture of precision parts carried out at a number of places in Northamptonshire including:
Express Lift Co, SP 7370 6070; various aircraft components, including bomb relaese and instrument panels for Wellingtons;
Photo in Northampton Mercury 02/07/98 p.6, shows the interior of the factory in the 1940's when it was "used to make ammunition.. a production line was set up to make 7.2in shells".

{3}Express Lift Company and 3 satellite factories at Harlestone Road, Northampton, St John's Street (on the corner of Fetter Street), Northampton and Syston in Leicestershire. Aircraft parts plus shell hoists for destroyers, pusher hoists for aircraft carriers, parts for Oerlikon guns, shells, gear units for anti-submarine protection etc

{4} Desk-top report on the lift factory includes an assessment of its WW1 and WW2 munitions factory use; it includes identification of wartime factory extensions and observations regarding the Express Lifts archives at NRO, the latter including photo albums of munitions work in progress. There is also a reference to associated shelters and other buildings.

<1> 1997, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN46490.

<2> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, P. 343 (Book). SNN100276.

<3> 1978, Northamptonshire At War 1939-45, A Selection Of Photographs, P. 66-67 (Book). SNN100251.

<4> Chapman A., 2000, Archaeological Evaluation Of The Former Express Lift Company, Abbey Works, Weedon Road, Northampton (Report). SNN100471.

<5> Ellison, M., 1999, SMR Report form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN107074.

<6> Ellison, M., 1999, Express Lifts factory complex, (unchecked) (Slides). SNN107073.

<7> Northamptonshire Record Office, 2009-12, Northamptonshire Archives and Heritage Service Newsletter (Newsletter). SNN106548.

Record last edited

Nov 15 2022 11:22AM