Springburn: Made From Girders

Cape Industrial

Since 1952 Cape Industrial have been manufacturing products at their Germiston works and over the years £10 million has been spent providing new plant and equipment to make it one of the most up-to-date works of its kind. Occupying a twelve-acre site and employing 108 people, Cape Industrial makes non-combustible boards and makes something in the order of 1,200,000 m2 of it annually. The world's ships as well as buildings around the world all have a safer environment thanks to the properties of Monalite G3, Cape Marine Board and other Cape products.

In 1975 Cape produced their first non-asbestos board and in 1980 they received the Queen's award for export achievement, for 48% of its boards are exported.

Aerial view of Cape's premises in Petershill Road

Andrew McQueen empties ingredients into the mixing plant

Charles Hughes operating machinery which forms mixture into flat panels

The mixture is rolled out and cut into lengths

Autoclaves where the stacked-up boards are put to dry and cure

De-stacking boards after drying and curing

Bobby Thorn inspecting and grading boards

After trimming and sanding, the boards are inspected and graded. The three stacks in the background are of reject, slightly damaged and perfect boards.

Despatch packers John Currie and Jimmy Longridge with finished product ready for delivery

Show cabin displaying various Cape products as they would look in a cabin on board ship

Examples of Cape products