Martin Sons & Co.
Mr Patrick Martin came from Ireland to Huddersfield and for some time worked as a cloth designer. In 1859 he formed his own company producing fancy woollens and silk twists. In 1864, Wellington Mills was acquired and four years later commenced the manufacture of fancy worsteds. Mr Patrick Martin died in 1880 and his eldest son, Mr Henry Martin took control of the company. Although other people were involved with the company, the rapid growth of Martin Sons was chiefly due to the enterprise and energy of this member of the family.
When the company was founded only 20 looms were employed but under the direction of Henry Martin, Wellington Mills grew to cover an area of 42 acres with 600 production looms all employed in the making of worsted goods of the highest quality. In its heyday the company employed 1,750 people and was the largest simgle employer in Huddersfield.
The designs and styles manufactured by the company set the fashions in menswear for the whole world and the buyers in New York, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, St. Petersburg and the other capitals of Europe would inspect Martin's new collection first and foremost as their guide.
Broadhead & Graves
In 1909 Messrs. Broadhead & Graves purchased the Mill at Kirkheaton and rapidly developed a successful business establishing a reputation for manufacturing superfine worsteds and especially for milled and semi-milled qualities.
H.R.H. The Duke of York visited the mill in 1932 at which time he was presented with some lengths of cloth and six years later, as King of England, he ordered a further three suit lengths from the mill.
Josiah France
The name of Josiah France has been linked with cloth manufacturing since the late 16th Century at which time he established a family 'cottage industry'. A son, in the early 1600's, keeping his father's name moved to Huddersfield where he built the first buildings of the mill that later, in 1880, evolved as Josiah France Ltd, Queen's Square Mill, Honley, Nr Huddersfield.
Learoyd Brothers & Co.
Learoyd Brothers were founded in the late 19th Century by Mr A. E. Learoyd and his brother Mr Frank Learoyd. King George and Queen Mary visited the mill in 1919 and in 1949 the mill was again honoured by a royal visit, this time by Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
By this time, Learoyd's had established a superlative reputation for their fine worsteds and their products were sought after by buyers throughout the world.
W. E. Yates
The origin of the company dates back to 1871 when William Edward Yates started to manufacture cloth at Laisterdyke. Business grew and grew and finer mills were purchased at Armley with a final transference to Wellington Mills at Bramley in 1882. As the business expanded a further mill was built, namely, St. Catherine's Mill at Bramley in 1902 which was the first mill in the country to be driven by a diesel oil engine.
Operating from both mills the company flourished and soon earned a reputation for producing cloths and today W. E. Yates, while manufacturing a variety of different qualities, is recognised as a speciality manufacturer of medium and heavyweight twist cloths.
