August 18th – It’s arguable that the most powerful economic force in the development of modern Darlastion was GKN, or Guest, Keene & Nettlefolds, a fastener manufacturing company that, until the 1980’s, loomed large in the Black Country industrial psyche. GKN had massive factories in Eastern Darlaston along Station Street, and companies that supplied them and competed were attracted nearby by the availability of skilled labour – Companies like Charles Richards, Kinnings Marlow and Deltight. GKN, of course, are still a massive powerhouse in British engineering, yet in the 1981, decided to end fastener production in the UK. Tens of thousands in Darlaston and Smethwick were made redundant. These were not just factories, but communities, that had their own doctors, carpenters and decorators on site. The National Blood Service used to come here for days on end, and blood donation was seen as an easy break by many of the workers who donated blood.

Here at Station Street, the GKN buildings remain, now housing ZF Lemforder and Caparo, both shadows of the manufacturer that abandoned Darlaston to the Wolves. GKN’s footprints are all over this town, and ingrained into the social history of this proud place.

Author: BrownhillsBob

I told the truth - but told it bent. Wandering around bemused and ranty since 2007. View all posts by BrownhillsBob