New Cabinet and Chair Works

December 1897

We are pleased to notice that Messrs Hamilton & Crawford have now got their new Cabinet Factory in almost full working order. The buildings are situated on the land off Church Street, immediately to the south-west of the Parish Church, and have been named Lochhead Cabinet and Chair Works.

The form of the buildings is E shape, the wings facing the east, and they present a massive appearance as one gets a view of them from Church Street. They are two storeys in height with attics; the main building being 125 feet long by 35 feet wide, and the two wings are 40 feet long by 35 feet wide each. Both floors have 12ft. high ceilings. The ground floor has all concrete flooring, and it is entirely occupied by new wood-working machinery of the most improved type, made by Messrs Robert Kerr & Sons, Auchengree Engine Works and Foundry, Glengarnock. 

On the ground floor of the north wing is situated the polishing room, and above this is the couch and easy chair-making department. The south wing contains on the ground floor the offices and despatch room, and over these the upholstering department is situated, while the top floor is used as the carving department and for storage purposes. Descending to the ground again, we notice that the engine and boiler-house is detached from the main building. and is of two storeys in height. The engine, by Tangye, is one of the newest automatic, cut-off patent gear of 55 h.p., and the boiler was made by Mr George Smith,  Johnstone, and has all the latest improvements. 

To the west of the main building is the German saw shed, which is 62ft. by 24ft., and on the same line northwards is the drying shed, substantially erected, 250 ft. long, for drying the timber as it is cut up. A large and perfectly dry seasoned stock of wood is stored up here.

The building work of the premises was by Mr John Keanie, Lochwinnoch, the bricks being Adams' best, and the walls are 14ins. thick. The joiner work was executed by the firm's own men, and Mr John Eadie, Lochwinnoch, was contractor for the slater, plumber, and plaster work, and the whole job reflects the highest credit on the local tradesmen. It may be said in concluding, that Messrs Hamilton & Crawford have already about 50 hands employed, and expect to add a number more as soon as the full complement of machinery is erected. The works are a decided acquisition to the furniture manufacturing industry in Lochwinnoch, and will prove a great benefit to the community.