What is factory fortnight?
Factory Fortnight-also known as the summer shutdown-is a long-standing tradition where manufacturers close for two weeks, typically in the last half of July or the first week of August. This practice became widespread in the 1950s and 1960s during the post-war economic boom, allowing companies to perform essential maintenance while staff took annual leave. The pause gave factories the chance to carry out critical upkeep without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Why Factory Fortnight Still Matters Today
Although manufacturing has changed, Factory Fortnight continues to offer significant operational value. The planned downtime allows businesses to carry out preventative maintenance, inspections, and servicing without impacting production schedules.
Key benefits include:
- The ability to schedule deep cleaning, safety checks, and equipment servicing with minimal disruption
- Easier access to contractors and suppliers who align their availability with this seasonal demand
- A perfect window to meet compliance requirements—such as asbestos surveys, HVAC servicing, or fire safety system checks
Factory Fortnight is not just tradition; it’s a strategic opportunity for safe, smooth, and efficient facilities management.
About FMS: Your Facilities Management Partner
Facilities Management Solutions (FMS) is based in Milton Keynes and serves businesses across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Northamptonshire. We offer complete facilities management under one roof—covering HVAC, electrical systems, roofing, asbestos management, fire and security systems, and solar panel installations.
What sets us apart:
- No contract or retainer—just fast, flexible response when you need it
- Available 24/7 for both scheduled and emergency works
- Trusted by schools, hospitals, warehouses, office spaces and of course factories for ongoing maintenance and one-off projects
With FMS, you get a single point of contact to manage all trades and make sure every detail is covered.
Why Booking Ahead Pays Off
Factory Fortnight is a busy time for contractors. Booking ahead with FMS ensures you:
- Secure time with our skilled team before schedules fill up
- Identify potential issues in advance through pre-shutdown checks
- Avoid the stress of last-minute repairs or emergency fixes
With early planning, your summer shutdown becomes an opportunity for improvement—not disruption.
FMS’ 5-Step Shutdown Plan
Here’s how we help you manage a seamless summer shutdown:
- Start with a Plan – Get in touch early to outline your maintenance needs—whether it’s HVAC, roofing, fire systems, heating check/maintenance or electrical work.
- Focus on Priorities – We help you identify and schedule critical tasks, such as AHU servicing, roof inspections, and compliance testing.
- Coordinate the Schedule – We take care of all planning, from mapping out full closures to phased work, and manage all subcontractors involved.
- Execute & Stay Alert – During the shutdown, our team completes the works efficiently while remaining on call 24/7 to handle any unexpected issues.
- Wrap Up with Confidence – Once operations resume, we provide detailed reports and clear guidance for any future maintenance.
Be Shut Down Ready—Contact FMS Now
Factory Fortnight is a chance to reset and protect your business—don’t leave it to the last minute. Get ahead of the summer rush by booking in with FMS today.