The undocumented Palitoy warehouse, “My Granddad's factory”. Palitoy called it, The Finished Goods Warehouse

[laurencedyer]

Great post , great story

Thanks buddy for sharing

Thanks Steve, I'm glad you liked it.

 

[Lafos]

What an incredible story Laurence !

 

[palitoyjunky]

Fantastic Read Laurence thanks for sharing all this great info :shock:

 

[laurencedyer]

I have a fresh document in with regards to the warehouse. Not much of this is new information although the most interesting item is the statistics after the warehouse being open for 3 and a half years. and a couple of named former employees :wink: .

"In an average year some three quarter of a million cartons will pass through the warehouse and of these some sixty thousand will be export business".

This was before the ESB film and toy range was launched so I would assume before the peak of the Star Wars line. Maybe export increased dramatically in the 80's so maybe these figures topped 1,000,000 cartons at the height of the boom.

http://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/download/file.php?mode=view&id=15108

 

[Stuart Skinner]

Just giving this a much deserved bump up the threads as some people may be unaware of the updates Laurence has added to this research.

I had the privilege of speaking with Laurence yesterday evening for the November podcast regarding his collecting habits and this research and its fascinating stuff by someone who has so much passion for the topic, Laurence is truly one of the nicest blokes I've spoken with and his work documenting this has taken him on an awesome journey so be sure to check in with Novembers podcast to hear all about it.

Great research and a great thread. Fingers crossed you can uncover more Mr Dyer.

 

[laurencedyer]

One more item I have been meaning to add.
This article was from the Coalville and Ashby Times on 7th February 1986 on page 3. It shows that whilst the production at the Coalville site was being split up. The Sales and Finance office was to remain at Coalville and all other operations including Play-Doh and the quality control where being transferred to Ashby.

I wonder if Ashby was responsible for the Woolworths eight packs?

 

[laurencedyer]

I received a few fresh images of the warehouse today. I actually stated incorrectly on the post that I had seen two water tanks on Google earth but after re-checking after receiving these photos there is only one .
These photos where taken when the new owners acquired the site.
The last picture shows a lot of the 10 miles of the pipework running inside the roof for the sprinkler system.

 

[mr_palitoy]

Finally got round to reading this after listening to you your piece on the podcast. A great piece of investigation and documentation of how a large toy factory is designed and built. If only the dumpsters had still been full!



Jason

 

[laurencedyer]

So I just recieved a random picture message from my brother. Nothing too out of the ordinary to receive a message from him and to my surprise when I tapped the image to enlarge it there was an original draft of my factory.
When we were kids growing up in our early teenage year's he aspired to be an architect as my Granddad and Uncle were. My Granddad gave him several set's of drawings that have been rolled up for year's in his possession of various warehouses and building's.
It's only an original draft of the Finished Goods Warehouse. Never thought to check he would have anything , in all fairness totally forgot he had any plan's and didn't have the foresight to check.
Totally made my day, just got to extract them from him now.

Denys Fisher Toy's LTD.

 

[Vinyl Jawa]

Brilliant post, Laurence.

 

[kathyw16]

Great research, would it be possible to have a conversation regarding your research? I'm currently looking into Coalville and the impact Palitoy had on the town.

Thanks,
Katherine

 

[laurencedyer]

Great research, would it be possible to have a conversation regarding your research? I'm currently looking into Coalville and the impact Palitoy had on the town.

Thanks,
Katherine

I have sent you a message Katherine.

Laurence

 

[PulsarP]

Wow Laurence!
I have only recently joined up to this site but your amazing thread detailing a large piece of Palitoy history has made it worthwhile for this alone.
I used to travel up and down the M1 from Sheffield and back as a kid, and the Coalville Pailtoy site was always a highlight of the journey 8)
Often considered asking my parents if we could pop in and look around or buy something but never considered we'd be allowed in with it not being a shop as such.
Fascinating.

 

[laurencedyer]

I have just managed to finally get my hand's on this bottle of champagne as mentioned in the thread with Bob Brechin.

 

[TWOFOOT]

Just read this. Fascinating read. Also this should bump it to the top of the list so others (like me) who missed it first time round can have a read.

 

[laurencedyer]

Just read this. Fascinating read. Also this should bump it to the top of the list so others (like me) who missed it first time round can have a read.

I was just searching for an old thread and noticed your comment. Thank you for the kind word's TWOFOOT.

 

[MrGudz]

I just wanted to add how much I've enjoyed this thread as well. I've an interest in architecture as well which made it a doubly good read. Is there anything more in the pipeline regarding your research on the sites?

 

[laurencedyer]

I was researching as much of the distribution network as possible including a couple of other warehouses they had. The one in Thurmaston has now gone and is replaced with several buildings including a Costco. The Glenfield site is only 3 miles away from me.
Unfortunately a few things changed in my life and I put the research to one side.

 

[Funkygibbon75]

Hello loz i finally managed to read up on what you told me about and a bloody fantastic read it is mate. Really exciting stuff the history and everything many thanks for an informative read. Cheers

 

[laurencedyer]

A nice edition to the thread.
An invite letter to the opening of the factory.

 

[lejackal]

A nice edition to the thread.
An invite letter to the opening of the factory.


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received_732864363863371.jpeg

Fantastic mate :mrgreen:

 

[Snaketibe]

What a great find! Thanks for sharing