Iron Masters, of Glasgow
1850s Blochairn Iron Works was established for the manufacture of wrought iron. The works were located on the site of the former Blochairn House (built 1765) and on the route of the Monkland Canal.
1857 The Blochairn Iron Co ran into financial difficulties during the 1857 crisis, and struggled on until 1867 when the works were taken over by Hannay and Sons, whose aim was to break into the expanding malleable iron market created by the demands of the Clyde shipyards.
The Hannays erected puddling furnaces and finishing equipment, and initial development was so rapid that the works became the largest of their kind in Scotland.
1875 Expenditure was so lavish that the company encountered financial difficulties; the works closed down about 1875.
1880 The Steel Company of Scotland purchased the Blochairn Iron Works, previously operated by Hannay and Sons. The aim had been to close the works and move the equipment to Hallside. However, after James Riley had examined the works, he persuaded the directors to convert the works to production of Siemens open-hearth steel. 8 furnaces were erected. James Riley was responsible for many important developments in the making and rolling of steel.