of Wellington Works, Oldham, Manchester.
See also -
1852 Bradbury & Company Ltd. of Oldham claimed to be the first company in Europe to manufacture sewing machines. Production began in 1852 at The Wellington Works and by 1887 the firm's annual output was between 26,000 and 30,000 units. They also produced machine tools, bicycles and motorcycles as well as prams and children's toys.
1867 Patent. 2609. And to George Francis Bradbury and Thomas Chadwick, of the firm of Bradbury and Co., Oldham, in the county of Lancaster; Sewing Machine Manufacturers, for the invention of "improvements in or applicable, to sewing machines."[1]
1874 Bradbury and Co was established on 5 May, to acquire the business of sewing-machine makers of the firm of the same name, and the business has since been extended to cycle and tool manufacturing. [2]
1885 Gold medal for invention of rotary shuttle sewing machine.
By 1890 around 600 factory staff were employed with a further 800 at 60 depots.
By 1898 Bradburys had produced its first motorcycle and, although sewing machines continued to be the firm's main product, a vigorous and sustained effort was made to enter the automotive industry after 1900. As well as motorcycles, a prototype motor car was developed but for some reason it did not go into production.
1904-06. Produced tricars with various bodies
In 1903 Bradbury were making large turret lathes.
At the end of 1905, when the company employed around 1,500 workers, a range of motorcycles was available.
1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of motorcycles see the 1917 Red Book
By 1914 Bradbury's were reducing their reliance on the sewing machine market through diversification and had achieved some success in the motor industry. The firm was experienced in mass production techniques and was probably set to realise the fruits of previous years development of motorcycles and quite possibly cars as well.
WWI During the war Bradbury & Company Ltd. supplied motorcycles and bicycles to the British forces. They probably also supplied machine tools to munitions factories and in all likelihood produced munitions themselves. After the war the company reintroduced its range of sewing machines and other products but by the end of 1923 they experiencing financial problems and it is believed that all production ceased around this time.
1924 Bradbury ceased all production in 1924, at the lowest point of the post-war slump. In the sewing machine market they were in competition with the Jones Co of Audenshaw as well as the Scottish subsidiary of the American firm Singer.
1929 May. Bradbury & Co. Ltd. was officially dissolved
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:11 October 1867 Issue:23309 Page:5444
- ↑ The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908