Title
Explanatory Statement and Notices of Meetings
Reference
2023-608/3/1
Production date
04-04-1968 - 04-04-1968
Creator
- Calico Printers Association LtdBiographyBiography
The Calico Printers' Association Ltd was established in Manchester through the amalgamation of 46 textile printing companies and 13 textile merchants in 1899, in reaction to increased competition within the textile printing market and a decline in quality of goods and profit margins for manufacturers and wholesalers. The amalgamation was an attempt to preserve the tradition and standing of calico printing and to produce textiles of a high standard at reasonable prices. At the time of its inception, the company accounted for 80% of the printed cloth produced in Britain. The company's first chairman was F F Grafton, and the headquarters were located on Charlotte Street, Manchester. The company moved to more suitable premises in Mosley Street, Manchester, and in 1912 built the St James' Buildings on Oxford Street, Manchester. The company also had premises on Princess Street, Manchester, where designers from some of the individual producers represented by the Calico Printers' Association had design studios.
As well as representing manufacturers of printed cloth, the Calico Printers' Association engaged in research and development of textiles, including the development of polyethylene terephthalate in 1941, manufactured as Terylene by ICI and now known as PET.
By the 1950s, the company had expanded its operations to include spinning, weaving, merchanting, finishing, making-up, and wholesale and retail distribution of textiles, textile engineering, and the manufacture and distribution of chemicals.
The company merged with the English Sewing Cotton Company in 1968, and became part of a new organisation, English Calico Ltd.
Scope and Content
Printed "Explanatory Statement and Notices of Meetings in connection with the Merger of The Calico Printers' Association, Limited with English Sewing Cotton Company Limited and Scheme of Arrangement', sent to shareholders.
Physical description
The condition of the item is good.
Language
English
Level of description
ITEM
Repository name
Science and Industry Museum
Associated people and organisations
- English Sewing Cotton Co LtdBiographyBiography
The English Sewing Cotton Company Limited was a union of fourteen firms who combined to form the company in 1897.
The fourteen companies initially involved in the union were;
John Dewhurst & Sons Ltd of Skipton and Airton, Yorkshire. Established in 1789
Ermen & Roby Ltd of Pendlebury and Patricroft, Lancashire. Established in 1837
S Manlove & Sons of Chesterfield and Belper. Established in 1829
W G & J Strutt of Belper and Milford. Established in 1776
Sir Richard Arkwright & Co of Cromford, Matlock Bath and Mellor. Established in 1769
C A Rickards of Bell Busk and Skipton. Established in 1862
Bagley & Wright of Belgrave Mill and Crooklands Bobbin Mill, Oldham. Established in 1867
Edmund Ashworth & Sons Ltd of Egerton Mill, near Bolton. Established in 1800
Crawford Brothers of Barr Mill, Beith, Scotland. Established in 1775
J and E Waters & Co of Hulme, Manchester and Carlisle. Established in 1835
William Waller & Co of Britannia Mills, Manchester. Established in 1830
Marsland, Son & Co of albert Mills, Manchester. Established in 1789
John Thomas Raworth of Crown Cotton Mills, Leicester. Established in 1820
George Wigley & Co of Old Silk Mill, Derby. Established in 1867
The company was established in order to unite the principal English firms and companies engaged in the manufacture of sewing, crochet, knitting, mending and other cottons as well as subsidiary businesses engaged in cotton spinning, doubling, dyeing, bleaching and polishing.
After the amalgamation further companies joined the union, they were;
R F and J Alexander & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Established in 1820 who joined the new organisation in 1898
Lawrence Arden Ltd, Hazel Grove who joined in 1899
Portwood Spinning Co Ltd, Stockport joined the organisation in 1929
The Stanhill Ring Spinning Co (1920) Ltd joined in 1946
In 1968 a change of name was registered and the company became known as English Calico Ltd.
Conditions governing access
Open Access.
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions.
