John Turner and Sons (of Denton)
of Denton, Manchester, and Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.A.
maker of Hatters' Machinery, and later Dynamos, Motors, Coupled Plants and Switch Boards.
London agent: C. F. Quicke, Finsbury-pavement.
Turner direct driving motors.
1860 Founded by John Turner.
1892 'This immense business, which, has now developed into the foremost concern of its kind in England, was founded upwards of thirty years ago by Mr. John Turner, whose numerous inventions and improvements in all kinds of hatters’ machinery have long keen highly esteemed by manufacturers throughout the world. Mr. Turner’s sons, who received from their father a sound practical training in every detail of the trade, have already manifested conspicuous ability and inventive powers, a sure proof that they have made speedy and intelligent use of the excellent instruction imparted to them by the founder of the house; and now, in the administration of a constantly increasing and highly influential business, Mr. Henry Herbert Turner, Mr. Albert Turner, and Mr. Arnold Turner find ample and congenial employment for their skill and energy. Each year they put forth increased efforts to add to the already great renown of their house, and to achieve still more notable successes for the future; and in order to allow full scope and space for the expanding tendencies of their business, Messrs. Turner have this year made very considerable additions to their premises, rebuilding the greater portion in the most perfect modern style for a large and progressive engineering and machine-making trade.
'The entire works now cover about four acres of ground, the greater part of this space being occupied by buildings, of which the principal structure is the fine new three-story turning, fitting, and erecting shop, two hundred feet by sixty-five feet wide. Several of the other shops are also very large, and all are substantially built and arranged upon a most convenient plan. Each department is equipped with the most powerful and effective plant and machinery for its special purpose, and the whole establishment presents an example of perfect organisation rarely met with even in these days of industrial advancement. Years of experience and the judicious use of a large amount of capital could alone achieve such an excellent result; and undoubtedly the Messrs. Turner now possess the most complete facilities for wood-working, iron, and steel working, copper-smithing, brass-finishing, and all other processes of their great and important industry.
'No small portion of the splendid outfit of machinery that may be seen in operation here is quite unique, a good many of the apparatus having been specially designed and constructed for the purposes of this trade. The firm’s offices - drawing, general, and private — form a large and handsomely appointed suite, situated at the left of the main entrance to the works. There are now upwards of one hundred highly skilled mechanics and other workmen engaged on these premises, in addition to the numerous clerical staff; and besides doing a general engineering trade of great magnitude, the firm stand second to none in the world as makers of all kind of machinery, tools, &c., for the manufacture of fur and wool hats.
'Their leading speciality at present consists in their improved and patented machines for finishing and shaping, and they have effected great practical improvements in all kinds of planking machines, shaving or pouncing lathes, proof mixers and appliances, patent blocking machines, hydraulic presses and pumps, hat moulds, rounding and curling machines, ironing and flattening machines, wire twisting machines — in short, every conceivable appliance for the hatting trade. Messrs. Turner produce every kind of machine or appliance necessary for hat manufacturing, without exception. Recently they have patented several important improvements in machines for opening, cleaning, blowing, and forming fur. The Messrs. Turner give special attention to the complete equipping of hat factories with engines, boilers, gearing, and every other requisite; and for this work they supply plans, estimates, and specifications on application. An immense home and export trade is controlled, and the house stands very high in the esteem and confidence of the trade wherever hat manufacture is carried on to any important extent. The firm have large branch works at Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.A., managed by Mr. H. H. Turner.'[1]
1900 Incorporated in Turner, Atherton and Co of Denton and Stockport.