Carrington Viyella
1970 Following the merger of Viyella and Carrington and Dewhurst, the resultant company was named Carrington Viyella; it was owned 64 percent by ICI[1] who promised not to control the company and to reduce their holding to 35 percent over time.[2]
1971 The company had c.37,000 employees and needed to increase productivity; it announced plans to close 12 factories[3]. Some subsidiaries were sold, including William Tatton, Aycliffe Textiles and Cheslene and Crepes to ICI[4]; others were acquired including Old Bleach Linen Co[5]
1972 Acquired R. H. and S. Rogers[6]. The chairman called for protection against cheap imports[7]. Sold two furnishing companies to their management. Sold the steel stockholders Herbert Parkes and Nephew to McArthur and Co[8]
1974 Acquired 2 mills in Darwen, Lancs from William Baird[9]
1976 Invested in a new mill for spinning Terylene-cotton yarns in Atherton, Lancs[10]
1978 Brands included[11]:
- Dorma
- Dhobi
- Quest
- Louis Philippe
- Clydella
- Yorkers
- Old Bleach
- Allen Solly
- Driway
- Evvaprest
- Van Heusen
- Kapwood
- Donaghadee
- Peter England
- Londonpride
- Gainsborough Fabrics
- Robert Hirst
- Aertex
- Rocola
- Quelrayn
- Sunfield
- Viyella
- Ferguson Fabric
- Jenaer
- Fine Jersey
- Viyella House
- Carrington Fabrics
- Reliance
- Morada
1979 Fir Tree Mills Ltd became Carrington Viyella Knitting Ltd.
1980 Announced the closure of Green Grove Mill, Smallbridge, Rochdale.[12]
1980 The company was in trouble, making losses, losing its new chairman, putting some factories onto short-time working and bringing in management consultants[13]
1981 Carrington Viyella formed a JV with Guildford Mills Inc of USA into which it placed all its warp knitting activities; Carrington Viyella Knitting was renamed Guilford Kapwood Ltd[14]. The business was located at Somercotes in Derbyshire
1983 Carrington Viyella was acquired by Vantona Textiles [15] becoming Vantona Viyella.
1988 Guilford Kapwood was renamed Guilford Europe Ltd
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Times, Oct 15, 1970
- ↑ The Times, Feb 01, 1971
- ↑ The Times, Apr 14, 1971
- ↑ The Times, Jul 30, 1971
- ↑ The Times May 29, 1971
- ↑ The Times, Mar 29, 1972
- ↑ The Times, Apr 28, 1972
- ↑ The Times, Oct 28, 1972
- ↑ The Times, Mar 02, 1974
- ↑ The Times, Jun 14, 1976
- ↑ The Times, Mar 15, 1978
- ↑ Rochdale Observer, May 10, 1980
- ↑ The Times, Aug 14, 1980
- ↑ The Times Apr. 30, 1981
- ↑ The Times, Jan 20, 1983