J. and P. Coats

1897. Carding room.

of Ferguslie Thread Works, Paisley

1824/6 James Coats opened a cotton mill making thread. The works were power by a 12hp engine^[1]

His eldest son, James, became a partner, followed by Peter

1830 James retired from active management of the business, handing the business to his sons, James and Peter, who took up the business

At some point the name of the business became J. and P. Coats.

1835 Thomas Coats became a partner

1842 Business established in America

1851 The firm had 3 members one of whom was Peter^[2], the others presumably James and Thomas.

1857 After the death of their father, the remarkable development and growth of the company was a result of the efforts of Peter and Thomas.

1861 Thomas was an acting partner^[3]

1884 Became a Joint Stock Corporation

1890 Incorporated as a Limited Company; directors included:^[4]

Archibald Coats, Chairman, of Ferguslie Thread Works
James Coats (USA)
James Coats junior of Ferguslie Thread Works
Thomas Glen Coats of Ferguslie Thread Works
Peter Coats junior of Ferguslie Thread Works
George Coats of Ferguslie Thread Works
Daniel Coats of Ferguslie Thread Works
William Allan Coats of Ferguslie Thread Works
Sir James King
Sir James Whitehead
Sir William Arrol
Otto E. Philippi of Ferguslie Thread Works (had managed the foreign trade of the company for more than 10 years).

1890 Coats listed on the London Stock Exchange. The company was registered on 6 August, to take over the business of the firm of the same name.

1897 Site is 50-60 acres and they employ 5,000 persons

1914 Chairman: Sir Thomas Glen-Coats, Bart. The Ferguslie Thread Works at Paisley was the largest of their kind.

1952 J. and P. Coats and the Clark Thread Co merged to become Coats & Clark Inc. in the United States.

Sources of Information