Thomas Black and Co
of Greenock
1904 Thomas Black Junior was called home to wind up his father's failing business. Whilst journeying across America on his way home, he stopped off in Kansas City and saw a thriving canvas products business making tents, marquees and other large canvas goods. This set him thinking and, on returning home, decided not to close his father’s business, but instead, to change the product range, to bell tents, marquees and garden tents for fetes and functions - see Black's of Greenock
1905 Thomas Black Senior, the founder of the business, died. Thomas Junior became head of the firm, with his son, Daniel Crawford Black assisting. Hiring out equipment was begun with one-time sail-makers having to erect tents and marquees.
1914-18 During the First World War, the company manufactured large hospital marquees, army bell tents, ambulance covers and other canvas goods.
1921 Black’s Travel Agency started at 18 Nicholson Street, Greenock, to meet the demand for emigrant passages to North America and Australasia.
1923 Thomas Black and Sons (Greenock) Ltd. was incorporated.