Last chance for a look

Dec 5 2007 Evening Gazette

STOCKTON-BASED Aker Kvaerner Engineering Services is holding a special open day on Saturday as the company gets ready to make the move to new premises in the town.

The firm, which employs about 500, is due to move to the Surtees Business Park on Bowesfield Lane in the new year.

But it is offering past employees the chance to visit its current home, Ashmore House in Richardson Road. It will give staff the chance for a last look around. The firm will also be handing out a site history brochure.

The Stockton site of Aker Kvaerner has witnessed industrial activity since 1873 when William Ashmore and Samuel While opened the ‘Hope Iron Works’. By 1885 Ashmore Benson, Pease and Co was serving the burgeoning iron and chemical industries on Teesside. Since then the company has gone under a variety of names including: The Power Gas Corporation; Davy Ashmore; Trafalgar House; Kvaerner and Aker Kvaerner.

The open day on Saturday, December 8 is being held from 10am to 1pm.