Whitburn's industry in the last century was dominated by coal mining but now that has gone it is dominated by smaller work units spread around the various industrial estates. Even then, there are very few well known names left based in Whitburn. While doing research for this web site I came across the "Official guide to the Burgh of Whitburn", a small booklet published in 1972 with some 28 pages crammed full of photographs, facts & figures.  Although well out of date it has provided me with a very useful insight into how Whitburn's industry has changed. On page 13 of the guide the following companies were listed as being Whitburn based and it can be seen that some of them are well known:

Levi-Strauss (UK) Ltd, Volkswagen (GB) Ltd, Belmont Shoes Ltd, Lothian Engineering Ltd, Kelly Springfield Tyres Ltd, Nemo Heat Treatments Ltd, Firth Cleveland Reinforcements Ltd, J & A Smith (Coachbuilders) Ltd, Crane Fruehauf Trailers Ltd

The latest telephone book has listings for only two of these firms; Lothian Engineering. Levi-Strauss closed in 1999. Of the rest - Where are they now ?. Research is on-going.

LEVI-STRAUSS

One of the biggest name on that list is Levi-Strauss, a massive global brand name. However in 1999, some thirty years after starting, production ceased and the factory closed. Heavy competition from so-called "designer labels" meant that the Whitburn factory was no longer a viable prospect. It did, however, last longer than some of it's American sister plants. Click on the link to read more.

COAL MINING

The "Official guide to the Burgh of Whitburn" did not include Polkemmet Colliery in the list above, it dedicated a whole section the the pit such was the importance of the industry to Whitburn. During most of the last century the mining industry dominated the central belt of Scotland and even the massive structures and bings of Polkemmet Colliery ruled the skyline of Whitburn from every direction.
Today, some 15 years after it's closure the ghost of the mine works, on the odd occasion, still make it's presence felt when the remains of the bings let out a foul stench which, in wet weather, hangs in the air. It's as if it is saying "Do not forget me"....Whitburn won't. Click on the link to read more.