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FODEN MEMORIES: 1
Page 24
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Like many others I was saddened to read of the demise of the Elworth Works.
My grandfather was a steam fitter at the works and a lifelong employee. Along ),vith his brother-in-law, Mr William Foden, and a certain Mr ER Foden he was also a foundermember of the former's band. In the early thirties he was joined at the works by my father, also a lifelong employee, and Ijoined the company in the late fifties. Regardless of our present day loyalties, ex-Foden men retain a soft spot for the old firm.
As mentioned by Bill Johnson (CM14-20 Oct), Jack Mills certainly left his mark on the industry. Bill mentions the tilt cab etc; when driving modern vehicles with the ubiquitous Eaton Twin Sphtter gearbox memories of the Foden 12-speed flood back. Launched in the late forties, developed throughout the fifties and sixties, this box was standard in large numbers of multi-wheelers sold throughout the seventies and beyond.
These vehicles also had Foden's own rubber suspension, which is still used today.
In later years, to satisfy customer demand, they were able to build horizontally integrated, vertically integrated and customised vehicles alongside each other on the same line. They pioneered flexible manufacturing.
Several excellent stories on Foden have been written, the latest being Harold Nancolhs's superb personal view. But it would be sad if the bigger story were not written while enough people are alive to provide accurate information.
Finally, we must extend our gratitude to two gentlemen from across the Atlantic, Messrs Piggott and Peabody. Without them these two famous marques might have disappeared and the Foden family truck building story would have concluded with a much sadder final chapter. Mike Davies,
Waterfooville, Hants.