HistoryJohn Nelson established a pipe works at Benhar in the late 19th century. Peter McSkimming purchased the works in 1894 and specialized in pipe production. McSkimming sponsored experience labourer’s from Glasgow to immigrate to Benhar to work for him. He quickly expanded into pottery and then in 1908 into sanitary ware. The Benhar township grew in response to the factory and models an English company town with McSkimming’s house situated overlooking the village which included workers cottages, a general store, post office, church, and railway.
Domestic pottery production ceased in the 1930s, however the company continued to manufacture sanitary ware such as toilets and tapes
In the 1950s, many Dutch families settled in Benahr and Balclutha to work at the McSkimming Pottery Works. During this period, Benhar became known locally as ‘Little Amsterdam’.
Ceramco took over the works in 1981 and closed their Benhar operations a few years later. However, Fowler Bathroom Products continued to operate with a small staff of 50 until February 1990 when a fire destroyed much of the works. Fowlers determined that a rebuild would be uneconomical, and shifted their interests to Auckland and later Australia.
