The Co-operative Wholesale Society began cabinet making in 1893. The Birmingham factories, which opened in the 1920s, were equipped with large, well-fitted workshops. They produced for the regional supply of furnishing needs. The Cabinet Factory, Hay Mills and the Bedstead Factory, Belmont Row were also used for the production of pianos. The C.W.S encouraged piano buying, with good pianos at moderate prices. The work was transferred to Belmont Row from the Cabinet Factory and then returned after the reorganisation of the factories in 1932.
T.J. Henson opened the Enfield Cabinet Factory on March 27th, 1930. It was a large factory fitted with the newest machinery for mass production. A number of the machines had been specifically made to C.W.S. specifications.
The capacity of the factories needed more than a regional co-operative market. The chairman of the Boot and Furnishing Sub-committee of the Board's Drapery Committee, Sir William Bradshaw recognised previous proposals for converting all the regional furniture factories into units within one national, productive scheme. In 1932 this national scheme was adopted, with Mr Liggatt appointed general manager of all the cabinet factories.
From the guide to the CFC: Co-operative Wholesale Society Furniture Catalogues, 1938- 1961, (National Co operative Archive)
