THE history of one of Yate’s most prolific businesses has been immortalised in a new book.

Yate Heritage Centre has published a booklet on the Fall and Rise of Newman Industries, detailing the complete history of the factory which was first established in Yate in 1932 and went on to become one of the town’s biggest employers.

Funded by Richard Newman, the son of former managing director Hedley Newman, the booklet explore the highs and lows of the electric motor repair factory on Station Road which also produced engineering tools.

Yate community heritage officer David Hardill said Newmans was an important part of Yate’s factory industry.

“Newmans became a major employer in Yate and a rival to Parnalls making shell cases and super-strong chains,” he said.

“With both factories mass-producing war material, Yate became a target during the Bristol Blitz. In February and again in March 1941, a German plane bombed Parnalls and 53 workers died.

“Meanwhile, Newmans continued producing electric engines and motors.”

In its heyday in the 1960s, Newmans employed over 1,500 people many of whom still live in Yate today.

The company left the town in 1988 and the Newman site is site home to a Morrisons supermarket and a B&Q store.

At a launch event last week, opened by Richard Newman, former employees were invited to view the booklet and artefacts from the factory.

The Rise and Fall of Newman Industries is on sale at Yate Heritage Centre now, priced £2.50.