Machinery firm is open to the public

10:56am Thursday 30th October 2008

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AGRICULTURAL machinery firm Bomford and Evershed opened the doors of its Salford Priors base to the public for the first time 40 years ago.

“About 600 people were shown around the factory and new office block and were entertained in the new canteen,” the Journal reported.

“Explaining the gesture, Mr J V Fox, managing director, said although the firm had expanded to a large extent in recent years, the management felt that they were losing contact with local people, especially those in Salford and neighbouring villages.

“‘We felt that this is a local industry closely connected with the village,’”Mr Fox said.

“‘We thought it would be of great interest to a lot of people to see what we have been doing. People who work here also wanted to show families and relations what they do.

“‘We also thought it would be nice to have something to mark the opening of the new office block.”

The report continued: “The firm, which moved to Salford in 1908, recently bought the disused railway properties next to the factory and in addition to a great deal of expansion, it has co-operated in the rebuilding and relandscaping of the Evesham to Stratford road outside.

“Some of the outstanding equipment on show at the factory included profile cutting machines. The latest of these machines, used for cutting shapes from metal sheets, uses a beam of light which follows the pattern required while four oxy-propane flame cutters attack the metal.

“Visitors were also able to follow the assembly of agricultural machinery parts.

“The offices were impressive for their modern accounting machines and up-to-date equipment.”

6 Mr P Miles demonstrating a semi-automatic “cold” saw at the open day held by Bomford and Evershed in Salford Priors.