Sadly I have had to update this article because in April 2020 the business went into administration. Yet another victim of foreign competition and the coronavirus outbreak.
Bev Parker


Walsall’s longest surviving foundry was Kirkpatrick’s, in Frederick Street, and across the road in Charles Street. It had been in operation since 1855.

In the 1820s, brothers John and Thomas Kirkpatrick moved from their home in Kirkcudbrightshire and settled in Walsall. In 1832 they were joined by their younger brother William, born in 1817. He became an ironfounder, and in 1855 set himself up in business. The foundry was originally part of the Frederick Street site, but re-located across the road in Charles Street, where it has been since the 1930s or 40s. The foundry's modern electric induction furnace, has produced large amounts of high quality black iron door and window furniture. The firm employed around 70 people and exported products throughout the world.


William Kirkpatrick, Mayor of Walsall.

William Kirkpatrick began producing Gothic and Medieval style iron work and door furniture, which was very popular at the time. He had a strict Covenanting upbringing and became involved in the church, and later joined the Walsall School Board.

In 1877 he was elected to Walsall Council, and became a Justice of the Peace. In 1886 he became Mayor, a post he held until his death in 1887.

After his death, William was succeeded in the business by his son Vincent who oversaw the incorporation of the firm in 1901.

Kirkpatrick Limited became well known as a manufacturer of a vast range of high quality builders’ ironmongery, much of which was in production until recent times.

During both world wars the firm concentrated on items for the war effort, including thousands of fittings for ammunition and storage boxes.

 


One of William Kirkpatrick's many achievements during his time as Mayor of Walsall was the building of the Science and Art Institute in Bradford Place. This medallion commemorates the opening of the institute on the 24th September, 1888.


An early photograph of some of the staff. Courtesy of Stephen Preston.

Back row left to right: C. Skett, I. Evans, A. Oakley, J. Carter, T. Cooper, T. Kelly, and J. Foxley.
Middle row left to right: J. Leadbeater, T. Edge, W. Edginton, C. A. Bickley, A. Dunam, J. Steadman, and
J. Bridgewater.
Front row left to right: G. E. Moss, E. Booker, M. Kirk, G. Walker, A. Dkins, W. Thornton and A. J. Philpot.


An old view of the Frederick Street factory. Courtesy of Stephen Preston.


A busy day in the warehouse.  Courtesy of Stephen Preston.


An old company letterhead bearing the firm's motto - I mac siccar - I make certain.

Over the years the firm has produced almost every kind of builders' ironmongery. The vast range of products has included Gothic handles and latch furniture, lever handles, door pulls, bolts, chains, letter plates, postal handles, door knobs, sash handles, lifts and pivots, thumb screws, cupboard knobs and buttons, hasps and staples, locking bars, hinges, cleat hooks, refrigerator fittings, casement stays and fasteners, quadrant stays, hat and coat hooks, handrail brackets, wire strainers, trestle hinges, pipe clips, stair treads, pulleys, bucket brackets, ventilators, spanners, rowlocks, blind fittings, manger rings, stable fittings, latches, and much more. Many of the items were still in production at the beginning of 2020.

For many years the foundry would cast almost any small item for a customer, but as the demand for the firm’s high quality builders’ ironmongery grew, production was concentrated in this area.

The firm has been a good employer, the skilled workforce included members of families who have worked there for several generations. The products were in great demand and Kirkpatrick was the only manufacturer in the country of traditional black ironmongery. Their handmade products were British from start to finish.


Filling ladles.  Courtesy of Stephen Preston.

We now live in a throw-away society, and are used to buying products that all too soon reach the end of their useful life. Kirkpatrick's products are different, they really do last a lifetime. The company sometimes received items for repair, which turned out to be cheap inferior foreign copies, not made to Kirkpatrick's high standard. The company even received a foreign copy of its own catalogue in the post, advertising what were in fact, second-rate copies of the firm's products.

There was a time, not that long ago, when we were proud of our home-made products, carrying the 'Made in Britain' label. Kirkpatrick's products were something that we can still be justifiably proud of today. We not only made the best ironmongery, but made it here in Walsall, in the heart of the Black Country.

The following photographs were taken on a visit to the factory in 2015, kindly arranged by Stephen Preston:


The company's offices in Frederick Street.


Filling a ladle with molten metal from the furnace.


Another view of the furnace as two of the moulders fill their ladles.

 

Casting, a busy time in the foundry.


Filling some of the moulds with molten metal.


Another view of one of the moulders at work.


Casting is always a spectacular sight.


The castings begin to cool.


The end of the morning's casting.


Finishing off, and assembling some of the many products.


Another view of the assembly area.


A corner of the packing department from where products were sent all over the world.

   
View some of the products from
the company's 1925 catalogue
   
A few of the company's vast range of products from the 1950s:

Fittings for doors, cupboards, gates, and drawers etc.

Fittings for casements, sashes, skylights, fanlights, etc.

Miscellaneous articles for trade and domestic purposes:

Cast-iron goods:

A few of the vast range of products, recently in production:

Sadly, in recent times, the company has suffered from increased foreign competition that resulted in a loss of orders. The company had an annual turnover of around £1.65m, but the recent long-term closure of many markets due to the coronavirus outbreak, resulted in the business going into administration. This led to a loss of 50 jobs. Administrators were appointed on the 16th April, 2020 and a meeting of the creditors was planned for the 9th June.


From The Gazette.


The empty building, now facing an uncertain future.

We are now in a time of great depression, when manufacturing would help with our much-needed recovery. It is sad that British manufacturers don't receive a suitable helping hand. Their contribution would greatly benefit our ailing economy.

The closure was a terrible blow for everyone at the company, who had worked so hard to ensure that it would have a long-term future. Foundries in the Black Country are now few and far between. Walsall can be justifiably proud of Kirkpatrick's wonderful record.


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