Window on the World

The Crittall Company started in Braintree as an Ironmongers becoming, in 1889, the Crittall Manufacturing Company for the production of metal window frames. These had far reaching effects on the architecture of the 20th Century.

The Company became pivotal in the production of monuments during the First World War and the technology developed to produce ammunition boxes was thought to have potential for producing steel office furniture. In 1919 a factory was built in Braintree Road, Witham, for this purpose. It was the most modern in the country but the venture was not a success and the furniture business was sold to Sankey Sheldon and the factory turned over to metal window production, playing a part in the worldwide market for Crittall's metal frames. The hot dip galvanizing process was perfected at Witham.

The success of the Company led to the building of Silver End between Witham and Braintree, the unique Modernist village started in 1925 by Francis Henry Crittall and his sons Walter and Valentine, later Lord Braintree. Between 1920 and the town re-development in the late 1960's Crittalls were the largest employers in the town. In 1974 the Company was taken over by Norcros and renamed Crittall Windows. In 1990 a new factory was built in Braintree and all work transferred from Witham, leading to the closure of the Braintree Road factory now the site of Morrisons.

Crittall Windows Ltd