Despite its rural history, without a doubt Heanor is an industrial town. This page lists just some of the industries (other than mining which is dealt with separately) which were found in the area - nearly all now gone.

I & R Morley
Morley’s factory (right) on High Street, Heanor, was one of the largest employers in Heanor, with over 1000 workers at its height. A throw-back to the old framework knitting days, before industrialisation, Morleys produced knitwear and underwear. Taken over by Courtaulds, and closed in the 1990’s, the premises have now disappeared, and the site has been redeveloped by Tesco.

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Langley Mill Pottery
James Calvert established a pottery on Station Road, Langley Mill in 1865. In 1883, it was taken over by the Lovatt brothers, and continued production for many years. It became part of the Denby Pottery group in 1959, and finally closed down in 1982. Lovatt and Langley ware are still much in demand.

G R Turner
Staying in Langley Mill, the steel works of G.R. Turner was world-renown for its railway wagons and other products. Again, after first becoming part of British Steel in 1967, the site is now closed.

Smith’s Flour Mills
There has been a flour mill on what is now Cromford Road, Langley Mill, for over two hundred years - indeed, that is where the village got its name. Smith’s has been there since the mid-1800’s

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Collaro
During World War II, the site which had just been acquired by Vic Hallam’s was taken over for the war effort by Collaro, a London company which was moved out of the capital to avoid the bombing - a recent book, "Boiler Suits, Bofors and Bullets," gives details of the effect that this company had on the local community - a fascinating read. After the war, Hallam’s finally took over its new site.