Dorrator Iron Co Ltd was founded by John Baird (99 shares), patternmaker in Sunnyside, in June 1898. The other shareholders were William Morrison (100) a Falkirk grate fitter, James A Miller (100) a Falkirk merchant, Alexander Russel (100) ditto, Eliza A Miller (100) of Falkirk, Elizabeth M Baird (1) of Sunnyside, and Margaret Russell Munn (100) of Glasgow. Each share had a nominal value of £10. Late in 1898 the site at Dorrator was purchased from Wm Forbes of Callendar and railway sidings negotiated. Work on erecting the buildings was delayed due to stormy weather. John Baird was appointed foundry manager and Wm Morrison the foreman. In 1899 Wm Morrison's shares were transferred to John Baird, and 200 new shares issued with another 100 the following year as follows: Alexander Russell (35+25), James A Miller (36+50), Mrs Munn (35+25), Wm Morrison (10), Eliza Miller (35), John Baird (49). The depressed state of trade meant that more capital was called in over subsequent years. In 1902 it was increased from £10,00 to £15,000, and in 1910 to £20,000. Trade picked up, and in 1903 the moulding shop and warehouse were extended. The "Newcastle" portable range was introduced in 1909, and the following year an attempt was made to sell direct to builders. This failed due to the extended period of credit required in that trade. In 1910 there was a shake up in the management. After criticism of his performance, Baird resigned, and sold 128 £10 shares to Peter McLachlan of Stenhousemuir who became an active director. John Crosthwaite, an active director of several other local foundries, took up part of the new share issue. Wm Morrison acted as works manager and Mr McTurk was appointed Commercial Manager. It was he who attended meetings of the Scottish Iron Founders combine which was eventually to re-establish profitable price fixing. Ranges continued to be the mainstay of the company's sales. A major contract was with the Nautilus Fire Co. A smoke consuming fire range was adapted to supply another contract to Messrs Fray's "Ritz" ranges, and subsequently patented. At the same time action was taken against the Liverpool firm of the Northern Heating Co for infringement of the registered name "Mistletoe". Other trade marks included "Acanthus", "Adonis", "Blue Bell" and "Vesper". In 1912 the local combine was replaced by the National Light Casting Ironfounders Federation of which the Dorrator Iron Co was a member. The blowers for the cupola were proving inadequate and second hand belt driven ones were purchased from the Saltoun Foundry. Wm Morrison died in March 1913 and McTurk was made Manager, Morrison's son Andrew became foundry foreman. A patternmaker's strike temporarily closed the works. The electric lighting was increased and dust extractors installed due to pressure from the government. The Nautilus Fire Co was taken over by the Davis Gas Stove Co who continued trading with Dorrator. The "Adrian" range was patented. The First World War brought in orders from the War Office for ranges, with £3,126 worth in 1914. At Christmas the company sent parcels to their former employees serving with the forces. In 1915 the firm made plant for the manufacture of French pattern hand grenades. The French government in Paris then placed orders for these grenades with most of the foundries in the district, though financial guarantees seem to have been lacking. Dorrator supplied R & A Main with 25,250 of these as part of an emergency order for that pattern from the British Government. Towards the end of the year John Baird died. The next year the Company received an order from the Ministry of Munitions for shell lifters. They also processed part of an order for machining lifter plugs which had been given to a Glasgow firm. At the Ministry's insistence, and against their own judgement, they employed 4 women (ref 188). A new core drying oven speeded up work. In 1917 Alex Russell died. In 1920 Wm Garfield Macdonald, their London agent, took up shares and became a director. There was a move away from ranges to general castings. A combination stove was introduced, and patterns for anthracite stoves were purchased from the closing firm of George Wright Ltd of Rotherham, but work also began on a patent gas cooker for Messrs Brooks of Glasgow. Even the casting of petrol engines was entered into for Farnham and Whyte of Liverpool, though the cylinders caused problems and this part of the work was subcontracted. By 1921 heavier castings had become a prominent part of the work and consideration was given to purchasing a travelling crane. However, trade subsequently became very depressed and this was never bought, though a motor lorry for local deliveries was. In 1922 the "Paragon" stove was being made. Rainwater goods now started to be made at Dorrator. Towards the end of 1953 a new suite of offices was constructed and opened the following year, the old tin and wood shack being demolished. In the 1980s taken over by Wadkin Engineering Ltd. Closed 1993.