Grace's Guide
British Industrial History
Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 146,028 pages of information and 231,556 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.
Carrington Viyella
From Graces Guide
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
1980 The company was in trouble, making losses, losing its new chairman, putting some factories onto short-time working and bringing in management consultants[12]
1983 Carrington Viyella was acquired by Vantona Textiles [13] becoming Vantona Viyella.
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
- ↑ The Times, Aug 14, 1980
- ↑ The Times, Jan 20, 1983