Records of Fleming, Reid & Co Ltd, thread manufacturers, Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland
- Reference:GB 248 UGD 199/29
- Dates of Creation:1899-1967
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:1 volumeThere are no physical characteristics that affect the use of this material.
Scope and Content
- Minute books including articles of association 1899-1967.
Administrative / Biographical History
The firm of Fleming, Reid & Co was founded in 1840 by John Fleming and James Reid as a thread manufacturer in Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland. Their main product, worsted yarns, was sold mainly to manufacturers in Glasgow, Scotland, and the company was the nearest rival to Paton & Baldwins Ltd, thread manufacturers, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England. In the late 1840s, Alexander Fleming (1826-1905), John's younger brother, joined the firm and was soon made manager of the factory and a partner, taking more responsibility as the other partner, James Reid, son of the founding Reid, was elected MP for Greenock. In 1880, the firm was hit by disaster when almost all their mills at Shawswater, Greenock, were destroyed by fire - the warehouse was the only building saved. Mill space was rented in England while new mills were built at Greenock, which became operational in 1883. Alexander created the chain of 'Scotch Hosiery Stores' in order to appeal to the public at a time of declining demand. The success of these stores saw the company diversify from production of knitting yarns to manufacture of hosiery and underwear. By the time Alexander died in 1905 there were 128 stores throughout the country. In 1899 , the firm was converted into a limited liability company, as Fleming, Reid & Co Ltd , with Alexander's son James becoming managing director. At this time their capital was å£250,000, rising in 1909 to å£350,000, in 1918 to å£675,000 and in 1924 to å£1,175,000. The name of the company changed to Coats Patons (Retail) Ltd in 1967 .
Arrangement
This material is arranged into series, which consist of numbers of items related by format and/or function. Within series the items are generally arranged chronologically.
Access Information
Open
Acquisition Information
Indefinite loan : J & P Coats : Glasgow : c1984
Indefinite loan : Coats Viyella plc : London: 1991 : ACCN 0146 (Additional Deposit)
Indefinite loan : via Business Archives Council in Scotland : 1993 : ACCN 0198 (Additional Deposit)
Indefinite loan : 1995 : ACCN 0240 (Additional Deposit)
Indefinite loan : 1996 : ACCN 0255 (Additional Deposit)
Indefinite loan : Coats Viyella plc : Swinton, Manchester: 2000 : ACCNs 1887, 1925, 1926, 1996
Indefinite loan : ACCN 0054
Other Finding Aids
Digital file level list available in searchroom
Manual file level list available at the National Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)2576) and London (NRA20914)
Alternative Form Available
No known copies
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the University Archivist
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use & condition of documents
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures
Custodial History
Held by J & P Coats Ltd
Accruals
None expected
Related Material
GB 248 UGD 199/1 Records of J & P Coats Ltd and CoatsPatons Ltd
See source list on Textiles available via Glagsow University Archive Services homepage at http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk
Material in other repositories: no material associated by provenance
Bibliography
No known publications using this material
Additional Information
This material is original
No alterations made to date
Subjects
Corporate Names
Geographical Names