Swaythling passenger cars in the UK, leaving the Southampton made Transit as their only British-made vehicle. In 2009, with the new Kocaeli, Turkey, plant in full production, Ford reluctantly halved production at Southampton and reduced the workforce to just over 500. Employing 500 workers, the factory produced up to 35,000 Transit chassis/cab variant vehicles annually, of which 50% were exported. The Ford Southampton plant closed on 26 July 2013. The very first branch of the DIY chain B&Q was opened in Swaythling in 1969. The shop was owned by Messrs Block and Quayle. Swaythling railway station is on the main line
Ettinger (British company) Ettinger (British company) G Ettinger Limited is a British company, based in London, specialising in luxury leather goods. Founded in 1934 by Gerry Ettinger, the eponymous company is still 100% family-owned and run. The company designs and is an artisanal manufacturer of small luxury leather goods, cases and bags, which are sold on their website www.ettinger.co.uk and distributed internationally, especially in Japan. The company has its own leather goods factory in Walsall, but has kept its head office in London. G Ettinger Ltd was awarded a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996 and has also made