THERE wasn’t much that an Ulverston worker for metal castings firm G. W. Waite couldn’t do — including building their own workplace for £7,000.

In September 1964 the 50 men and women started work at the new factory they had helped to design and build at North Lonsdale Road.

The expanded manufacturing base was wanted by George Waite, who had founded the firm in 1946 in a disused stable block at the Sun Hotel.

By September 1988 The Mail the firm's newest technological aid was a computer-contolled Agie wire eroder.

The firm employed 70 peoplemaking components for the Ministry of Defence, Ashley Accessories at Ulverston, Addis, Kleeneze and Cannon Hygiene.

There was also time in 1988 to make seven million mop head fittings.

And there was plenty of assembly work using traditional techniques such as rivetting, welding and brazing.