Storey Brothers and Co
of Whitecross, Lancaster. Telephone: Lancaster 271. Cables: "Storolan, Lancaster". London Office: 104a Park Street, W1. Telephone: Mayfair 4041. (1947)
Storey Brothers and Co, of Lancaster, makers of printed sheeting and coated fabrics, sail and cloth makers.
Storey Bros and Co, Lancaster, leathercloth, baize and decorative products manufacturers and cotton spinners. [1]
1849 Company founded by Thomas Storey (later Sir Thomas), his brothers Edward and William, and Edmund Sharpe. Maker of table baize ("American Cloth") and later linseed oil leather cloths. This brought much prosperity to Lancaster[2].
1851 Testified that use of a Fire Annhilator helped deal with a fire in the floor cloth manufactory at Lancaster[3].
From 1851 the business developed into other departments, and works were established in Germany as well.
1891 Directory (Lancaster): Listed as Cotton spinner and manufacturers. More details [4]
1895 Storey Brothers established Rembrandt Intaglio Printing Co on the advice of Karl Klic. Technical development directed by Klic and Samuel Fawcett.
1896 Storey Brothers company incorporated to succeed the partnership[5].
By 1900 Rembrandt was producing gravure prints commercially and in large quantities. The firm enjoyed a de facto monopoly for several years.
1902 Company incorporated to acquire company of the same name[6].
1902 The company was registered on 12 December, to acquire the business of cotton spinners of a company of similar title. [7]
Post-WWI, Rembrandts lost its monopoly; other gravure printers used newer methods and offered a wider range of products.
1926 the company moved to London but was relatively unsuccessful in developing new techniques.
1932 Storey Brothers decided to concentrate textiles. Sold interest in Rembrandt Intaglio Printing Co to Sun Engraving Co who moved the company from London to Watford, called Rembrandt Photogravure.
1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of "Storolan" Products, including Table Baize, Leathercloth of all types, Suedette, Proofed and Printed Fabrics of all types, and Printed Plastic Sheeting. (Earls Court, 1st Floor, Stand No. 660)[8]
Post-WWII: installed an electrostatic plant to make artificial suede. Also started to make vinyl plastics to which the company applied its printing experience.
1954 Became a public company.
1957 Placing of 800,000 shares on the stock market[9].
1961 Makers of various plastic films and other goods including Con-Tact self adhesive plastic and washable Storoglaze wall covering, Plastolene products made from Terylene, Plastolam for laminates and Plastovac for vacuum coverings[10].
1977 The Brantham and parts of the Aycliffe factories previously operated by Bakelite Xylonite were purchased by Storey Brothers, formerly a major commercial rival.
1977 Turner and Newall took over Storey Brothers in an agreed bid[11].
1981 The Brantham factory was kept open but with reduced workforce[12]
The Brantham site now operates as part of the Wardle Storeys Group, manufactured limited quantities of xylonite using traditional processes and equipment until the 1980s.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] Lancashire Records Office
- ↑ The Times, 29 June 1892
- ↑ The Times, 7 April 1853
- ↑ Cotton Mills in Lancaster 1891
- ↑ The Times, 12 May 1961
- ↑ The Times, 21 October 1957
- ↑ The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908
- ↑ 1947 British Industries Fair p265
- ↑ The Times, 18 October 1957
- ↑ The Times, 12 May 1961
- ↑ The Times, 13 August 1977
- ↑ The Times, Apr 03, 1981