Former Employees Create Xerox Museum

Originally published by The Ross Gazette

Xerox Museum created by former members of staff

A team of ex-employees and managers of manufacturing company, Xerox, formerly based in Mitcheldean, have been putting together a history of the company and the substantial impact it had on the area.

Xerox 914 was the first plain paper photocopier and was so popular that by the end of 1961, Xerox had almost $60 million in revenue.

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The company started in America, but needed a site in Europe, and chose Mitcheldean. This branch became the supplier of all copiers in Europe, and at its peak, employed four and a half thousand people many of whom were from Ross-on-Wye.

In less than ten years, Mitcheldean, a small village of a few hundred people, become home to an industrial complex employing thousands of people. This major influx of people brought huge benefits to the local population, shops, businesses, pubs, hotels and small companies that manufactured components for Rank Xerox.

The team, who are working with Mitcheldean Town Council, hope to open the Museum to the public early next year. They include Ross resident Keith Wildin who told the Ross Gazette that they are not only telling the story of Rank Xerox but they are planning to tell the story of the Mitcheldean Plant from brewery to micro-brewery via Bell and Howell, as well as Xerox, in a chronological timeline of history.

The displays will include photographs and information, as well as interviews, personal stories and memories from ex-employees of their time at Xerox, as their main objective is to tell the history and involvement of local people and its impact.

They are planning an open day for Tuesday, January 16th, 2018 from 2-4pm. It will be at The Town Hall, High Street, Mitcheldean, GL17 0AT.