Famous red cast iron postboxes could disappear warns maker

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Famous red cast iron postboxes could disappear warns Denny manufacturer

http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/bus ... -1-3212419" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The famous cast iron red postboxes seen across the UK could become a thing of the past, according to the Denny firm that manufactures them.

Machan Engineering has been the sole maker of the traditional British pillarbox for more than 25 years - but has received no new orders since the Royal Mail was privatised last month.

The foundry, in Broad Street, said that the Royal Mail was instead ordering stainless steel postboxes made by a company in Newcastle.

Machan managing director Lisa MacDonald told The Falkirk Herald that it normally experienced an upsurge in postbox orders at this time of year.

“We received our last order from the Royal Mail on October 9,” she said. “That’s the longest we’ve gone without an order since we began to manufacture postboxes more than 25 years ago.”

Ms MacDonald said that the cast iron variety of postbox was of much greater quality than those constructed from stainlees steel.

“Our boxes last for at least a century,” she added. “There’s also the question of security of the mail - no one can cut into a cast iron box, but they could easily cut upon a steel one.”

Machan employs ten staff, three of them specialising in manufacturing postboxes.

It has produced 50 of the classic cylindrical-type cast iron post boxes and 600 of the smaller rectangular lamp boxes in the past year alone.

“If we receive no further orders, then I will have to consider letting staff go,” Ms MacDonald said.

“What the Royal Mail has to realise is our staff are the only people left in the whole country with the skills to make these boxes.”

Machan, which was founded by former Carron Company employee Bill McMullen in 1983, also makes a variety of other street furniture.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Jennifer Bird said: “Royal Mail’s arrangements for the manufacture of cast iron post boxes remain in place.

“We will continue to place further orders for cast iron post boxes as and when required.

“We have needed to manufacture lamp boxes in stainless steel recently to ensure we meet our operational and customer requirements.

“However, we are continuing to manufacture pillar boxes in cast iron through our current arrangements.”

[Lounge Lizard]

Ms MacDonald said that the cast iron variety of postbox was of much greater quality than those constructed from stainlees steel. “Our boxes last for at least a century,” she added.
And that's the problem. They last too long so Royal Mail don't need to order any new ones.
I remember some years ago the Manchester IRA bomb caused devastation to the Arndale Centre but the cast iron Royal Mail post box wasn't harmed.

[POSTMAN]

Meant to put this in the good old days forum,very interesting on how they make them...


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... boxes.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[NWpostie]

You would eventually need new boxes when we have a new King with an all new Monogram.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

You would eventually need new boxes when we have a new King with an all new Monogram.

Unless its such a short reign none need replacing during his tenure.

[NWpostie]

You would eventually need new boxes when we have a new King with an all new Monogram.

Unless its such a short reign none need replacing during his tenure.

He is quite old and probably be in his late 70s by the time he ascends the Throne.

[k979aaa]

You would eventually need new boxes when we have a new King with an all new Monogram.

Unless its such a short reign none need replacing during his tenure.

He is quite old and probably be in his late 70s by the time he ascends the Throne.

Maybe he will have them all painted green probably better than the orange they will soon become!

[Lounge Lizard]

You would eventually need new boxes when we have a new King with an all new Monogram.

Not if removal of little used boxes exceeds those damaged for whatever reason beyond repair.

[Brain Fury]

This has been a growing problem for years. There used to be three manufacturers of post boxes, now there's one. The problem is that falling volumes posted in boxes means that given free hand RM would probably remove some that are already there. I'm guessing that the recession has reduced the amount of house building and thus the demand for new boxes. and I think we've been trying to reuse boxes removed elsewhere rather than simply buy new ones. Ultimately the problem is that the company is so reliant on RM for work as there is very little other demand for cast iron products.

[NWpostie]

They would need to diversify in order to remain viable, there are people who buy these boxes as their own private post boxes at the end of a long driveway or a garden feature etc as well.