| AdminHistory | In around 1869, Robert Fraser, the owner of the Drumcross Paraffin Oilworks and Brickworks, set up a foundry and engine works at Burnside Road in Bathgate. A few years later in 1871, James Wait (formerly of Black's Shovel Forge in Berwick-upon-Tweed) and his five sons, took over the premises and began a small shovel making forge. Meanwhile, George Park (formerly of Cramond Foundry) and George Wolfe, a Bathgate tinsmith, decided to open their own shovel making business called the West Lothian Spade and Shovel Works. The premises were first located in Mill Road in Bathgate but soon ground was bought at Bridgend and larger works were built. Shortly after this, George Wolfe left the partnership and set up on his own at 56 North Bridge Street, Bathgate. In 1884, Park sold out and Wolfe bought the Bridgend premises and moved his business there. Finding it increasingly difficult to find appropriate materials, Wolf established his own steel rolling mill at Glasgow Road, Bathgate and in 1907, turned his business into a Limited Liability Company. In 1909 Wait and Sons went bankrupt and by 1911, Wolfe had bought the Burnside Road forge, his son, Major Tom Wolfe had modernized the machinery and the whole business was re-named the Bathgate Forge. Tragedy struck in 1914 when a serious fire almost destroyed the Burnside Road premises but the company quickly recovered and soon took over the Holm Forge Company at Bellshill. George Wolfe died in 1924 and his sons Tom, Charles and Monty took over the business. Tom's main concern was the forge, Charles focused on the steel mill and Monty was the company accountant. Tom died in 1957 and his son, the present William Wolfe took over. In 1962, Charles died and his son, George succeeded him in looking after the rolling mills. Unfortunately, this arrangement does not last long as in 1965, the mill shuts.
While this was happening in and around Bathgate, back in 1840, a forge called James Donald and Sons was established at Barblues, Plains, near Airdrie. In 1958, the principal shareholder of the company, James Jarvie wanted to retire and so sold the controlling shares to William and Charles Wolfe. A year later James Donald and Sons changed their name to Chieftain Forge and moved into premises adjoining the Bathgate Forge. In 1967, Bathgate Forge went into liquidation and amalgamated with Chieftain Forge. Soon, they begin to focus on the manufacture of tools and equipment for forestry work.
1986 sees more changes when Chieftain Forge (1986) Ltd. is formed and takes over from and becomes tenant to the old company. Unfortunately, this was not enough to boost business and in 1989 the shovel works closed. Chieftain Forge (1986) Ltd. ended their lease in 1996 and the old company bought the machinery back to donate it to the Almond Valley Heritage Trust. The business moved to Guideon Street in Bathgate and then in 2002 to Whiteside Industrial Estate where today, the business continues to trade under the name Chieftain Forge.
|
| Scope_And_Content | Comprises records of Bathate Forge Ltd., James Donald and Co. Ltd, George Wolfe and Sons Ltd. |