Last post for Scottish firm who made Pillar Boxes

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It's the last post for Scottish engineering firm who made iconic cast-iron pillar boxes http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott ... ng-6568736" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Machan Engineering of Falkirk, the only foundry in the UK to make traditional postboxes, have had to close after slump in orders.



THE Scots firm who made Britain’s iconic red ­postboxes have had to close after losing orders from the Royal Mail.

Machan Engineering were the only foundry in the UK to make the traditional cast-iron pillar boxes.

The company had supplied Royal Mail since the 1980s and used to get 150 orders a year. But in 2014, they only received 20 orders and this year they had just one.

Director Lisa McDonald was not available for ­comment but spoke of her fears earlier this year when they were forced to made six people redundant.

She said: “We’re resigned to the fact Royal Mail orders will not recover to previous levels.”

A phone message at the firm in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, told callers: “We are sorry, the ­company has now closed. We would like to thank all our customers and ­suppliers over the years and wish them the best for the future.”

The postboxes that have been used for 160 years are under threat from a cheaper alternative.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “It is sad when a long-term supplier goes out of business. We will be working with two casting suppliers and continue to place further orders for cast iron postboxes as required.”