New Cumnock Collieries Ltd already had a brick-works at their Bank No.1 Pit. In 1926, they decided to complement this with a terra-cotta brick and tile works near the site of the former Lanemark Brick Works, which they had acquired in 1909, along with the pits once operated by Lanemark Collieries. The first kiln of bricks was produced in 1927 and after overcoming initial difficulties Afton Terra-cotta products soon became well established throughout Scotland [6].

The products may have been popular but a less favourable picture of the working conditions in the works  prior to the outbreak of World War II,  was summed up in its local nickname,"The Dump" . George Sanderson captures the conditions thus -  

'In an atmosphere of dust and grime, clay from Auchengee was moulded into bricks, monotonously thousands of them handled onto bogies, and pushed to the kilns. After being burned, the bricks again were lifted, each one onto bogies, transported then thrown up onto railway wagons. Flue dust, brick dust and heat alternated with cold wet outside tasks, ill clad and at 3d an hour for young men, ill paid.'[9]

At that time about 30 men and boys worked at the Afton Brick Works, including Sam Alexander, an experienced brick burner, who had moved here with his family from Sanquhar. 

During the War, the Afton Works was used as a munition store and continued to operate thereafter until the 1960's when it closed down. 

The remains of lums, drying sheds and works-office remain and can be reached by following red-brick road from the back of Fordmouth farm