UGD 199/29
Records of Fleming, Reid & Co Ltd, thread manufacturers, Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland
1899-1967
1 volume
There are no physical characteristics that
affect the use of this material.
Glasgow University Archive Services
Fleming, Reid & Co (thread manufacturers:
1840-1899: Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland)
Fleming, Reid & Co Ltd (thread
manufacturers: 1899-1967: Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland)
English
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
.
- Minute books including articles of association 1899-1967.
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.
Held by J & P Coats Ltd
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
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248
procedures
None expected
Open
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the University
Archivist
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use &
condition of documents
No known copies
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)
This material is original
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
Publication note
No known publications using this material
Notes
Date(s) of Description
Compiled by Ruth Boreham, Archive assistant, 06 September 2002
No alterations made to date
Textile industry
Textiles
Fleming, Reid &
Co
1840-1899
Fleming, Reid & Co
Ltd
1899-1967
J & P Coats Ltd
1896-1960
Greenock (Scotland)
UGD 199/29/1
Minute books/sederunt books/articles of association
UGD 199/29/1/1
1899-1967
Memorandum and articles of association, including certificate and resolutions