 After Robert Hunt's death the firm was carried on by his surviving son Reuben Hunt and grew to become the major employer in the village, by 1900 employing approximately half of the male working population of the village.When Sir R. H. Hunt, the founder's grandson, died in 1970 the firm was still the village's chief employer with some 300 employees and works covering .However the business subsequently declined and The Atlas Works were closed in 1988.