You are in [Places] [Loheat]
Loheat Engineering, 1946-c.1995:
Loheat began in 1946 in the old former iron foundry premises behind Norman's Garage in Eddington.
Arnold G. Billington, who had been born in Inkpen and educated at Newbury Grammar School, was originally employed in the electrical industry. He moved with his mother to Atherton Crescent, and at the onset of the Second World War, he enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals, serving a full six years, and risiing to the rank of Captain. He was awarded the MBE for services rendered.
When he returned to Hungerford in 1946, he leased from Mr. Norman the former iron foundry premises at the rear of Norman's Garage in Chanham Street with the aim of setting up a manufacturing business there. The premises at that time had an earth floor and was scarred by the recent occupation of American Armed Forces.
He set about planning how to use the premises, and indeed, what to manufacture there. Bearing in mind the emphasis being made on growing more food, and using his knowledge of electricity, his first project was a garden cold frame with an electric soil warming attachment. The firm was named The Loheat Frame Co. This proved popular for householders and also for commercial growers throughout the country. Arnold Billington tookj on its first employee - John Richens of Hungerford. (He always tried to recruit from within the town).
The Loheat Electric Garden Frame, c.1946
However, soil warmers were somewhat seasonal products.
This led to the manufacture of various transformers for a variety of commercial situations and in 1949 Loheat started manufracturing milk-cooling equipment for dairy farmers, underfloor heaters for pig farrowing pens, infra-red heaters and electric barrier gates.
The Loheat Chilled Water (Milk Cooling) Unit, c.1949
The business grew through the 1950s, 30-40 people being employed making an expanding range of products, many being exported across the world.
Low voltage heating aids for the cold storage industry were the brainchild of one of Arnold Billington's co-founders, Leslie Hawkins. Dairy water heating and in-line sterilising equipment were devloped.
Loheat regularly exhibitedat the Fairy Show at Olympia, London.
By 1959 Loheat had outgrown its premises in Eddington, and they bought large premises in Everland Road (including the road itself). The Eddington premises were used thereafter for storage only.
It was later to become Loheat engineering.
10th December 1966: The site was bought by Arnold Billington (born in Inkpen, married, lived in Woodspeen for 40 yrs).
The original Manager of Loheat was Leslie Hawkins, a schoolfriend of Arnold Billington. Leslie Hawkins later became a Director. He stayed with the company until his retirement which coincided with the sale of Loheat Ltd. The original Loheat premises had been in Eddington. Sadly, Jack Gibbs, one of the other Loheat Directors, was killed protecting his wife during the Hungerford Massacre. (With thanks to Richard Hawkins, who sent this additional information, Sep 2024).
Arnold Billington retired in 1987 after 32 years (as founder, Chairman and Managing Director). John Richens retired in 1985 after 38 years with the firm.
The brickwork of the old building (built c.1832-1837) was ruined by steam. The house was used as offices – in the very old part.
In c.1990 Loheat was sold to Stratford Property Co. (They had already sold the laundry building c.1989)
Loheat was still operating in April 1992.
There was a range of timber buildings alongside the high railway embankment. Colin Honeybone sent two photos (July 2020) and remembers some of the usage of the Laundry Yard buildings - Bob Lewington kept his horses there, Cambell had a business of building gliders, there was a Scout hut and Brian Liddiard repaired cars there.
In 1999, the laundry building and all adjacent buildings were demolished, the site cleared, and Somerfield supermarket and car-park was built, later replaced by Tesco Supermarket.
(WIth thanks to John Newton for much of the information above)
See also:
The Canal Wharf, 2011