Carlton Die Castings has been shaped by the same family for most of its history. Here's how the business has grown, decade by decade, since Alan Carlton first set up shop in Paisley.
Joseph D Wilson — 3rd from left, front row
John G Wilson — 5th from left, middle row
Business established by Alan Carlton and the company was named Alan Carlton & Co. At this time only gravity castings were produced.
The company was bought over by John Gilmour Wilson and the company's name was changed to Carlton Die Castings Ltd.
High pressure die casting was started in-house.
On the death of John Wilson, his son Gil Wilson became Managing Director at the age of 21.
Major contract was won for Hoover, Singer Sewing Machines and Philips.
Vacuum impregnation started in-house — a process used to ensure castings are leak proof and water tight.
The company was bought by Michael Denny Holdings, who already owned a plastic injection moulding company, with the aim of creating a Scottish-based manufacturing group.
Carlton Die Castings was bought back by Gil Wilson and the factory moved to its current location at Greenhill Road in Paisley.
Following the award of business from JCB, CNC machining was started in-house — enabling fully machined castings, ready for assembly.
An 11-pallet Matsuura CNC was purchased, helping offer quick changeovers and reduced lead times.
A 725-tonne Buhler die casting machine was purchased, enabling high pressure die casting up to 8kg.
An 8-pallet Hitachi Seiki was purchased, bringing the machine shop up to 19 CNCs.
A 500T Colosio die casting machine was purchased, bringing the high pressure die casting foundry to 7 machines.
We continue to offer fully machined castings ready for assembly. Our market range has grown to include sectors such as Zone 1 hazardous areas, Ministry of Defence, oil and gas, electronics, automotive, hi-fi equipment and telecoms.
Purchase of another 500T Colosio high pressure die casting machine.
Signals our largest investment to date with the purchase of a 550T Buhler automated die casting cell, to increase capacity and production rates.
Further investment in the CNC machine shop with the purchase of 2 off Hurco CNC milling machines.
Four generations on, we're still a family-run foundry in Paisley — and still writing the next chapter of the story.
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