Mr
Patrick Martin came from Ireland to Huddersfield and for
some time worked as a cloth designer. In 1859 he formed
his own company producing fancy woollens and silk
twists. In 1864, Wellington Mills was acquired and four
years later commenced the manufacture of fancy worsteds.
Mr Patrick Martin died in 1880 and his eldest son, Mr
Henry Martin took control of the company. Although other
people were involved with the company, the rapid growth
of Martin Sons was chiefly due to the enterprise and
energy of this member of the family.
When
the company was founded only 20 looms were employed but
under the direction of Henry Martin, Wellington Mills
grew to cover an area of 42 acres with 600 production
looms all employed in the making of worsted goods of the
highest quality. In its heyday the company employed
1,750 people and was the largest simgle employer in
Huddersfield. The designs and styles manufactured by the
company set the fashions in menswear for the whole world
and the buyers in New York, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, St.
Petersburg and the other capitals of Europe would
inspect Martin's new collection first and foremost as
their guide.
Broadhead & Graves
In
1909 Messrs. Broadhead & Graves purchased the Mill at
Kirkheaton and rapidly developed a successful business
establishing a reputation for manufacturing superfine
worsteds and especially for milled and semi-milled
qualities.
H.R.H. The Duke of York visited the mill in 1932 at
which time he was presented with some lengths of cloth
and six years later, as King of England, he ordered a
further three suit lengths from the mill.
Josiah France
The name of Josiah France has been linked with cloth
manufacturing since the late 16th Century at which time
he established a family 'cottage industry'. A son, in
the early 1600's, keeping his father's name moved to
Huddersfield where he built the first buildings of the
mill that later, in 1880, evolved as Josiah France Ltd,
Queen's Square Mill, Honley, Nr Huddersfield.
Learoyd Brothers & Co.
Learoyd Brothers were founded in the late 19th Century
by Mr A. E. Learoyd and his brother Mr Frank Learoyd.
King George and Queen Mary visited the mill in 1919 and
in 1949 the mill was again honoured by a royal visit,
this time by Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of
Edinburgh.
By
this time, Learoyd's had established a superlative
reputation for their fine worsteds and their products
were sought after by buyers throughout the world.
W. E. Yates
The origin of the company dates back to 1871 when
William Edward Yates started to manufacture cloth at
Laisterdyke. Business grew and grew and finer mills were
purchased at Armley with a final transference to
Wellington Mills at Bramley in 1882. As the business
expanded a further mill was built, namely, St.
Catherine's Mill at Bramley in 1902 which was the first
mill in the country to be driven by a diesel oil engine.
Operating from both mills the company flourished and
soon earned a reputation for producing cloths and today
W. E. Yates, while manufacturing a variety of different
qualities, is recognised as a speciality manufacturer of
medium and heavyweight twist cloths.
