Hirst Brothers and Co
of Oldham; also at London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow
1884 Alfred Hirst established the company in Union Street, Oldham
1894 Moved to larger premises in Curzon Street, Oldham
1904 Acquired a company in Withy Grove, Manchester
1907 Acquired a company in Great Hampton Street in Birmingham.
1912 Introduction of the Limit trademark on their range of watches
1919 Construction of the 5 storey, 7 acre, Tame Side clock factory in Saddleworth, near Oldham. The factory was of reinforced concrete construction, with wall-to-ceiling glazing. It was eventually served by a private halt for the workers, most of whom travelled from the Oldham area. The halt, known as 'Measurements Halt', was constructed by the LMSR in 1932.[1]
1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of "Tameside" Clocks (Domestic and Commercial), Ships' Levers and alarms. (Stand No. E.23) [2]
1920s Employing more than 500 persons
1926 Bankrupt. Failure of the Tameside factory. Company re-structured and started to trade again. The Tameside factory taken over by Measurement Ltd.
1963 Company acquired by Time Products (UK)
2003 Move to a purpose built Time Products Volume Division HQ near Leicester
For more information about Hirst Bros & Co, see Limit Watches website.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Scenes from the Past: 49: Delph to Oldham, by L. Goddard & J. Wells, Foxline (Publications) Ltd.
- ↑ 1922 British Industries Fair p38