William Barbour and Sons
of Hilden Mills, near Belfast
1785 Company originated in Lisburn, Ireland; it was established by John Barbour who bought linen thread for manufacturing in Scotland.
John Barbour's son William Barbour took over the company, followed by John Dougherry Barbour.
1831 Works moved to Hilden.
1889 Extended their Flax mill using triple expansion engines by Victor Coates and Co, ribbed rings by John Brown and Co and plates by the Steel Company of Scotland. [1]
1898 William Barbour and Sons merged with other thread manufacturers to create Linen Thread Co but continued to use the original name as flax spinners.
1939 See Aircraft Industry Suppliers
1970 Barbour Threads was part of Lindustries[2]
1976 Queens Award for Export[3]
1979 Barbour Threads Manufacturing Ltd. a member of the Lindustries Group of Companies, specialise in the production of all types of sewing threat for Industrial and Clothing purposes. The main factory at Hiklon is easily accessible[4]
1999 Hicking Pentecost, which owned Barbour Threads, was acquired by rival Coats Viyella[5]
See Also
Sources of Information
- Trademarked. A History of Well-Known Brands - from Aertex to Wright's Coal Tar by David Newton. Pub: Sutton Publishing 2008 ISBN 978-0-7509-4590-5