Rhodia Group ltd
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The Rhodia Group produced microbial enzymes for the food and industrial industry. The site of there factory based at Woodley is actually the old Unity Mill which dates back to the 1800s when it was originaly used as a textile mill.
The factory covers 16 acres and until 2002 when Rhodia finally closed the gates. The site housed 148 staff which worked in the food prep labs and office buildings.
The mill originally started life as a chemical company back in 1949. When the site was aquired by Norman Evans & Reis. Since 1949 the mill has always been associated with chemical production.
In 1973 the site was took over by the Dalgety Food Group. And renamed ABM Chemicals. In 1986 it was taken over again by RTZ Chemicals which in 1989 merged to Become Rhone Poulenc ltd.
1990 seen Rhone Poulenc condense all its operations and renamed the site Rhodia. Where it also housed its Northern Administration Centre.
Over the years the mill has produced textiles. To starter cultures and enzymes, for the U.K. and Ireland Dairy industry as well as detergents and penecillin.
The factory finally closed in 2002 and is currenlty up for sale for £1,750,000.00.
It will be curious to see if the next company that take over the mill will produce or use chemicals as the site has always been or associated with this type of work.
I first discovered Rhodia back in the 1980s when it was called ABM Chemicals. Back then access was not possible as the factory was always occupied, and operated 24 hours a day. I often wondered what it would be like in there and now over 20 years later I finally got to find out!
The place is exactly how I remembered it with only the gate sign changed to the last company name. Inside is quite big with some fantastic steel structures still in place.
Whilst exploring the perimeter of the building we discovered boxes and boxes of old company records which included tax returns. Personal letters from members of staff. Photographs and some extremely rare books on physical education and body building dating back to the 1920s.
The highlight for me I think was finally getting to see inside ABM and what it actually looked like.
