The tall chimneys of Marchon dominated the Whitehaven skyline for over half a century. Whilst few would have claimed that they were pretty, what they did signify was prosperity, security and pride in a manufacturing plant that in its time was amongst the most successful and technologically advanced in the world.
Marchon Products was registered as a Limited Company in London in 1939 but after twice having premises flattened by the bombing of London it relocated to Whitehaven in 1940. Production began in the garage of Frank Schons house in the form of firelighters-a mixture of fat, naphthalene and sawdust. The firelighter business provided the bulk of the profits throughout the early years but the company became increasingly involved with the manufacture of products for the detergent and toiletry industries. Success in these areas led to expansion and in 1943 Marchon moved to the site with which they would become synonymous and which would see their expansion to a company of international standing. The seven acre Ladysmith Pit site near Kells on the Whitehaven coast contained a former tar plant, which was converted to chemical manufacture, and new buildings were added as required.
By the end of the 1960's the Whitehaven site had a workforce of around 2500 and was a major contributor to the local economy. After merging with Albright & Wilson in 1955 the company invested in overseas production in France, Italy, Spain, Canada, South Africa, the USA and many other places. An ill-fated move of phosphorous production to Canada in the late 1960's (despite the opposition of Frank Schon) began a decline in the fortunes of the company and changes of ownership followed; to Houston based Teneco Inc, back to Albright & Wilson and then to French Company Rhodia. The American company Huntsman bought the remains of the detergent business from Rhodia but production ceased completely in 2005 ,hastening the closing and demolition of the site, a process which will be concluded in 2007.
The definitive book on the history of Marchon has been written by local historian Alan Routledge and was published by Tempus Publishing in 2005
(ISBN 0752435728)
Links to further Marchon History
Rhodia UK
