Low & Bonar Ltd, Jute Spinners, Manufacturers and Merchants, Dundee

Scope and Content

Jute contract book 1930-1932; wages book 1930-1933; transfer wages book 1930-1931; letter book 1901-1924; bills payable book 1953-1966; articles of association of T Wighton & Co Ltd [subsidiary company of Low & Bonar Limited] 1965; licence and lease re. London property in Northway House, Whetstone 1972; illustrated booklet outlining history and development of Low & Bonar group of companies c.1950; report and accounts for Low & Bonar PLC 1986; additional records of the company and its subsidiaries (unlisted), largely 20th century.

Administrative / Biographical History

In 1903 John C. Low and George Bonar entered into a partnership agreement to carry on the business of merchanting jute goods in both home and foreign markets. In 1909, East Port Calender works, a cloth-finishing and bag sewing and printing establishment was acquired. In 1912 the original partnership became incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Low & Bonar Ltd and the share capital of William Fergusson & Sons Ltd was purchased to give the company an interest in jute weaving. In 1924 the company acquired control of Baxter Brothers & Co. Ltd. The Eagle Jute Mills were built in 1930 on the site of the Dens Foundry and engineering works formerly operated by Baxter Brothers.

In 1951 with the acquisition of a controlling interest in Bonar Long & Co. Ltd, the company diversified into the field of electrical engineering and in 1953 the group's jute spinning activities were further expanded by the acquisition of Henry Boase & Co.

Arrangement

Records are arranged chronologically within series. The bulk of the records (8.8 linear metres) are awaiting arrangement.

Access Information

Open for consultation subject to preservation requirements. Access must also conform to the restrictions of the Data Protection Act and any other appropriate legislation.

Acquisition Information

The records were deposited by Low & Bonar Group Ltd in 1978 and 2001 (AccM/77, AccM/80 and AccM/464).

Note

Fonds level description compiled by Sarah Chubb, Archives Hub Project Archivist, October 2001.

Other Finding Aids

Descriptive list. Subject source lists and databases are also available. There are currently no finding aids for the bulk of the records.

Alternative Form Available

No known copies.

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction is available subject to preservation requirements. Charges are made for this service, and copyright and other restrictions may apply.

Accruals

None expected.

Related Material

GB 254 MS 11 Baxter Brothers & Co Ltd, linen and jute spinners and manufacturers, Dundee

GB 254 MS 10 Boase & Co Ltd, Claverhouse Bleachfield, Dundee

GB 254 MS 23 Wm Fergusson & Sons Ltd, Jute Manufacturers, Dudhope Works, Dundee