Garners' Contribution to the War Machine •
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More Than 10,000 Bodies and Over 2,500 Trailers Produced in Less Than Four Years THE war-time-production story of Garner Motors, Ltd., 82, Wesley
Avenue; London, N.W.10, is one of complete sacrifice of self-interest for the common' cause. Not a single corninertial vehicle, which, of course, is the company's peace-time product, has been manufactured during the war period, but despite frequent damage by enemy action the works have produced a vast amount of-essential war equipment.
The staff employed by Garner Motors, Ltd„ was never big, as judged by average standards, hut what it lacked in numbers it made up for in skill, From the point of view of the mass production of munitions of war, however; this make-up could not he considered ideal and the management, therefore, did not anticipate that the company would be called upon to supply vehicles in large numbers.
During the-early days of the war the concern concentrated on the-design and manufacture of a number of specialized vehicles, but gradually the works were given over to the production of essential equipment neceeeaty for the manu'facture anti servicing of instruments of operational aircraft.
The coac.hbuilding section of the company wee turned over in its entirety to the production of bodies for chassis manufactured by other concerns and, although the nutrib?r of workpeople in this department at no time exceeded 120, more than 10,000 bodies were produced bet-een. the latter part of 1940 and Jime.34), 1944. '
The machine and aesembly ehops also contributed to the national effort. Inquiries were made of the various Ministries as to their deeds, and the drawing office' was engaged in the designing of equipment suitable for testing various aircraft instruments.
_ This work was for the Air Ministry and M.A.P. and, in due course, .contracts were received from both. From the beginning of 1941 to June 30, 1944, over 2,000 different types of aircraft testing sets left the works,
In addition, .the cbmpany undertook. the manufacture of petrol-electric generating sets of various types and 11,000 were produced. Over 2,500 trailers of different • kinds formed another of the company's contribution to the war effort.
The output of all departments gradually increased so as to incorporate the manufacture of flare-path equipment, searchlight-projector panels, and many other kinds of accessory' necessar3,' in the building of the various types of aircraft then being used. tipto June 30, 1944, over 10,000 different units were made and . delivered. This does not take into account the thousands of smaller articles turned out by the machine shop;
At the commencement of the changeover from peace to war-time production —in September, 1940—the factory was severely damaged by enemy action, but Within-two weeks thousands of pawn& worth 'of material was transferred to a
'small dispersal factory. arid produption resumed.
Within a few months the main factory was again in commission, and not Only was normal production restored but the output was increased ley 50 per cent.
In February of last year enemy action again caused damage to the Main plant, also the dispersal factory,but production was maintained with Only a slight decrease in output for one
week. , Misfortune again befell the company, for on two occasions in' Jerre, 1944, further severe damage was caused, and for weeks work was continued under temporary roof coverings and without windows or heating, and yet production still went on. Never has the schedule of output fallen below the requirements demanded for testing equipment or for bodies.
During the .1940 bombing, when the factory received its first damage, the offices and records of the company were -completely destroyed and, for months during the autumn and whiter, the office staff worked in mackintoshes and overcoats, for there was no roof to eover them. Temporary office accolnmodation, in houses, was eventually acquired, and the staff has worked in them ever sineb.
Although the original number of employees was about 100, this war programme has been carried out with the addition of no more than 80 persons. The original skilled personnel has been ,gradually diluted, so that only a nucleus of approximately 20 per cent. now remains as key personnel.