John Brown and Son
JOHN BROWN & SON LTD., of Glasgow, London and Melbourne, were among the pioneers in the production of Madras muslins by the power loom, these goods being formerly made by the hand loom.
The firm's original factory was situated in the Dennistoun District of Glasgow, and its chief product was fine book muslins.
In 1876 Nicol Paton Brown, C.B.E., the present chairman of the company (1924), joined the firm.
Shortly after this date the Barrowfield factory was built, containing 650 looms. It was in this factory that the manufacture of Madras muslins for drapery purposes was developed and brought up to its present high standard of perfection. In the course of time it was found that this factory was insufficient to supply the growing demand for the firm's productions, and in consequence it was decided to build another factory. Accordingly, in 1901, Clutha Factory was built and equipped with 700 looms.
1924 The firm now has 1,350 looms, producing plain muslins of the finest quality - organdies, mulls and lawns, lappet muslins, spot and figured muslins, and the world-famous Scotch Madras muslins. These goods, in addition to being used very extensively in the home market, are exported to almost every country in the world.
See Also
Sources of Information
- 1924 British Empire Exhibition: Cotton Textile Industry