Firm was an industry giant before lights went out

The firm was renowned around the world for its products, and during the factory’s heyday in the 1960s thousands were employed there.

But last year operators Signify turned off the lights in the Hamilton plant for the final time.

Before that, in August 2013, more than 130 staff at what was one of Hamilton’s biggest employers faced the axe.

Philips Lighting announced 133 people – more than half the workforce – would go at the Wellhall Road factory.

Bosses delivered the bombshell news to the shocked 237 workers in a mass meeting. Those affected worked in the specialist luminaires division.

In 2015 the remaining workers faced another jobs blow – around 30 posts were axed in the SOX (sodium with oxide) streetlights section.

It meant that a company which in its heyday employed a workforce of 2300, now had just 70 staff remaining.

Philips Lighting had been an institution in Hamilton for decades and many of the staff were women.

A large number were employed in the manufacture of Philishave electrical shavers, while others made components for radios and television sets and, later, fan heaters and food mixers.

The factory was also producing 8000 types of electric lamp including miniature torches, street lighting, and photo flash bulbs.

Products which were manufactured in Hamilton over the decades could be seen at many motorways, airports and football stadia around the world.

Half of the grounds at the 2006 World Cup were equipped with

Philips products.

In 1963 over 2300 staff went on strike over merit payments.

They were offered a rise of 1½d per hour but the dispute went to arbitration and the award was increased to 4½d an hour.

The company received a cash boost in 2006 when they did a lucrative deal to sell off 12 acres of ground at the Wellhall Road site for housing.

Philips said the £6m raised would be used to improve the Hamilton plant.

In June 2007 the factory celebrated 60 years in the town and celebrations included a special reception in Edinburgh organised by Hamilton South MSP Tom Mccabe, himself a former Philips employee.

In November 2019, the light bulb specialists closed their doors for the final time.