Low Family Business and Personal Papers

• Reference:GB 254 MS 100/17
• Dates of Creation:1887-1999
• Name of Creator:
  Low family
• Physical Description:
  0.84 linear metres

• Scope and Content

  Correspondence, 1985; Miscellaneous records relating to William Low and W. Barclay Low, 1954-1998; Miscellaneous legal and business records relating to Don and Low Companies, 1887-1999; Miscellaneous financial records relating to Don and Low Companies, 1966-1992; Booklets and publications; c 1970s - 1990s; Photographs, c 1970-c 1985

• Administrative / Biographical History

  Low Brothers & Co. was a firm of jute merchants and was based in Dundee. Its origins can be traced to a jute bag-sewing firm, which was established in 1913 by William Low (Snr) and Peter Low. In 1960 it merged with Don and Buist. Two Don directors joined Lows' board and William Low (Jnr) of Low Brothers joined the board of Don and Buist. Both companies continued to trade under their own names, until internal reconstruction of the Don and Low group in the 1980s. William Low (Jnr) emerged as a leading figure in the new firm and played a key role in establishing it as one of Europe's leading polypropylene companies. He was for a long time Chairman and Chief Executive of the firm. He finally left the firm in 1989 when he retired from as position as non executive Chairman. He also served as Chairman of Dundee Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the European Association of textile Polyolefins. This post was later held by his son. W. Barclay Low, who also served as Don and Low's personnel director

• Access Information

  Open for consultation subject to preservation requirements. Access must also conform to the restrictions of the Data Protection Act (2018), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018) and any other relevant legislation or restrictions. Clinical information is closed for 100 years.

• Acquisition Information

  These documents were deposited later than the main collection.

• Note

  Low Brothers & Co. was a firm of jute merchants and was based in Dundee. Its origins can be traced to a jute bag-sewing firm, which was established in 1913 by William Low (Snr) and Peter Low. In 1960 it merged with Don and Buist. Two Don directors joined Lows' board and William Low (Jnr) of Low Brothers joined the board of Don and Buist. Both companies continued to trade under their own names, until internal reconstruction of the Don and Low group in the 1980s. William Low (Jnr) emerged as a leading figure in the new firm and played a key role in establishing it as one of Europe's leading polypropylene companies. He was for a long time Chairman and Chief Executive of the firm. He finally left the firm in 1989 when he retired from as position as non executive Chairman. He also served as Chairman of Dundee Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the European Association of textile Polyolefins. This post was later held by his son. W. Barclay Low, who also served as Don and Low's personnel director

• Archivist's Note

  Description compiled by Kenneth Baxter, October 2009

• Conditions Governing Use

  Reproduction is available subject to preservation requirements. Charges may be made for this service, and copyright and other restrictions may apply; please check with the Duty Archivist.

• Custodial History

  It is likely that most items were kept by William Low when he was Chairman and Chief Executive of the Don and Low Group

• Accruals

  Not expected

• Additional Information

  Published