Privatisation
As a part of the Explosives Division of Royal Ordnance Plc, the ROF was privatised in 1984 and sold to British Aerospace in 1987.
The MOD Fire Service moved out after privatisation; and the MOD Police moved out after the sale to British Aerospace. Their former Social Club at Holm Park, with its adjoining sports field, became part of facilities of Bishopton village.
The former MOD Police houses at both Holm Park and Rossland Crescent were retained by the Ministry of Defence and were sold off in the mid 1980s to private buyers. As they were still connected to ROF Bishopton's sewage system and water supply system they had to be connected to the public systems before they could be sold.
The workforce fell from about 3,000 in the late 1970s to 2,000 at the time of privatisation in 1984. The workforce was about 1,000 in 1991 and was reduced to about 600 in 1993. There was a further reduction in 1996 to 450 employees as the business tried to reduce costs. It was announced in 1998 that the site would close after the loss of a major government contract for the supply of 155mm ammunition to the South African defence contractor, Denel. Manufacture on the site finally ceased in June 2002.
During the 1990s, significant investment was made to the site automating its Nitrogylycerine, Nitrocellulose and Nitroguanidine manufacturing plants which both improved manufacturing capabilities and process safety. Prior to its closure the site was producing gun and rocket propellant for use in numerous weapons systems.
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