Williamson, James, & Son Ltd

Sectors:

  • Textile production Carpet, rugs, etc, production
  • Textile production Linoleum & floorcloth production

Notes:

Established 1844 by James Williamson, 1813-79, as oilcloth and leather cloth manufacturers, later specialising in floorcloths. By 1979 employing 2,000. Developed further by his son, James, later Lord Ashton, 1842-1930, into a leading manufacturer of linoleum from the mid 1880s. He ran the business from 1875. Gradually expanded into all forms of hard surfaced floor coverings. Noted for his philanthropy at Lancaster. Business merged with Michael Nairn & Co Ltd of Kirkcaldy to form Nairn Williamson Ltd which in 1975 was acquired by Unilever Ltd

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