The three explosive factories opened between December 1940 and April 1941. Explosives manufacturing survived on parts of the site until about 2000; although ROF Bishopton was privatised in the early 1980s.
Much of the site lies around the 10 metres elevation and this was one of the deciding factors for its location; as UK explosives factories were built near to sea level to take account of their favorable micro climates. The other reasons being Clydeside's high unemployment rates in the 1920s and 1930s; the need to locate explosives factories in the UK safe zone; a remote location with good railway links; and a ready supply of female labour.
Building work on the first factory started in April 1937, the second stated in April 1939 and the third in October 1939. The site was built on farm land, acquired by compulsory purchase, on the other side of the railway line from the village of Bishopton. Over 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of land from up to seven farms was used to accommodate these three factories. The land included Dargavel House and its grounds, the house still survives within the site boundary; as well as a number of former farm houses and public roads that were absorbed into the ROF site.
