Dundee and Timex - Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking
The Dundee Timex factory, holds a significant place in both local and national history. What began as a hub for technological innovation and employment became a symbol of industrial decline and worker resistance. The story of Timex in Dundee spans decades, marked by achievements, disputes, and a deep connection with the city’s identity.
The Timex story in Dundee started long before the brand name became familiar to millions. It was in the 1940s that the company Ingersoll, a well-known watchmaker, set up shop in Dundee. The Ingersoll factory was initially focused on producing watches and clocks, providing jobs for a large number of the city’s residents. The company’s presence quickly became a vital part of the local economy, as Dundee was struggling with industrial decline in other sectors, particularly the jute industry.
In 1950, the US Time Corporation, which would later rebrand as Timex, acquired Ingersoll. This acquisition marked the start of a new chapter for the Dundee factory, bringing American investment and technology to the Scottish city. Over the following decades, Timex became one of the most recognisable names in watchmaking, and the Dundee factory was a key part of its operations.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Timex in Dundee thrived. The factory produced millions of watches that were sold worldwide, helping the company build a global reputation for reliability and affordability. The famous slogan, "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking," reflected the durability of Timex products and became a household phrase. At its peak, the factory employed over 5,000 workers, and entire families in Dundee had members working there. For many, Timex was not just a place of work; it was a community institution.
The factory also played a role in advancing women's employment in Dundee. At a time when many industries were dominated by men, Timex hired a large number of female workers, particularly in the assembly lines, offering opportunities for women to enter the workforce in greater numbers. This was significant in reshaping the city’s social fabric, as women began to contribute to the household income in new ways.
Despite the factory’s success, the global watch industry began to change in the 1970s. The rise of digital watches, particularly from Japan, began to put pressure on traditional watchmakers like Timex. The company struggled to keep up with these technological advancements, and its products, once seen as cutting-edge, began to feel outdated. As competition grew, Timex was forced to cut costs, and this had a direct impact on the Dundee factory.
By the 1980s, Timex had begun to downsize its operations in Dundee. There were waves of layoffs, and the once-bustling factory began to shrink. These cutbacks were felt deeply in the local community, where generations of families had depended on Timex for employment. The company's presence, which had once been a source of pride, started to become a point of anxiety as the future of the factory became uncertain.
The most dramatic chapter in the history of Timex in Dundee came in 1993, with the outbreak of an infamous strike that would mark the end of the factory's operations in the city. By this point, Timex had announced plans to reduce the workforce significantly, leading to growing unrest among employees. In response to the proposed layoffs and worsening working conditions, workers went on strike, demanding better treatment and fair wages.
The strike quickly escalated, capturing the attention of the national media and becoming a symbol of the broader struggles faced by workers across the UK. The dispute was not just about jobs; it was about the erosion of workers' rights and the impact of globalisation on local communities. The strike lasted for several months, and it became a bitter standoff between the workers and the management of Timex.
As the strike wore on, Timex attempted to break the strike by hiring replacement workers, which only fuelled tensions further. The factory became a focal point for trade unionists and activists who travelled from across the UK to support the striking workers. Despite this solidarity, Timex refused to back down, and in the summer of 1993, the company closed the Dundee factory for good. Around 250 workers lost their jobs, and the closure marked the end of an era for Dundee.
The closure of the Timex factory in Dundee was a devastating blow to the city, both economically and emotionally. It symbolised the decline of traditional manufacturing industries in the UK and the impact of globalisation on local economies. For many, the factory’s closure marked the loss of a way of life, as generations of families had relied on Timex for their livelihoods.
However, the legacy of Timex in Dundee is not just one of loss. The 1993 strike remains a powerful symbol of worker resistance and solidarity. It highlighted the importance of workers' rights and the need for fair treatment in the face of corporate downsizing and global competition. The strike is still remembered in Dundee today, with those who were involved looking back on it as a key moment in the city’s history.
In recent years, Dundee has undergone a period of regeneration, with new industries such as digital media and life sciences emerging. While the city has moved on from its industrial past, the story of Timex remains an important chapter in its history. The factory may be gone, but its impact on Dundee and its people continues to be felt.
The history of the Timex factory in Dundee is a tale of innovation, community, struggle, and resilience. From its early days as a major employer in the city to its eventual closure after a bitter strike, the factory played a central role in the lives of many Dundonians. Though the factory is no longer there, its legacy lives on, both in the memories of those who worked there and in the lessons it offers about the changing nature of industry in the modern world.
