THE decision by one of Colchester’s oldest manufacturing companies to revert to its original name has been welcomed by the town’s former MP Sir Bob Russell.
Woods Air Movement had been known as Fläkt Woods since joining the FläktGroup in 2002, but has decided to reclaim its original name as part of a major brand overhaul.
Sir Bob Russell, who is now Colchester’s High Steward, played a leading role in ensuring the firm not only stayed in Colchester, but did not leave the country 15 years ago.
He was also invited to perform the official opening of the new factory at Colchester Business Park.
Frustrated by its attempts to relocate from its base at Braiswick to a new site in the town, the owners contemplated moving the manufacturing activities to Poland.
The then managing director contacted Sir Bob, who spoke to the East of England Development Agency about the problems Flakt Woods was facing with Colchester Council.
Praise - Sir Bob Russell
Sir Bob claimed the council was not co-operating with the company over housing plans for the site of its factory in Tufnell Way, off Bergholt Road.
Sir Bob said: “The development agency banged heads together at the council. Common sense broke out.
“Housing for the Braiswick site was agreed, which made it financially viable for the company to relocate to where they are now – saving more than 300 manufacturing jobs in Colchester.”
He added: “I remember hosting a dinner at the House of Commons at which I encouraged the then owners of Flakt Woods that staying in Colchester made commercial sense.
“This was because this was where they had an experienced workforce and where the company’s well-deserved international reputation was synonymous with the town from when the company was known as Woods of Colchester.”
To thank Sir Bob for his efforts, the company invited him to perform the official opening of the new factory.
A plaque commemorating the event is still displayed in the foyer of the main office entrance to the premises.
Three years later Sir Bob was back at the factory, on the occasion of the company’s 100th anniversary in 2009, to plant a young oak tree which he had grown from an acorn collected from Castle Park.
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