Wilton Royal Carpet Factory
of King Street, Wilton, Salisbury
One of Britain's oldest carpet factories
1906 Carpet Manufacturers, awarded the Royal Warrant[1], and many more followed.
By 1945 was owned by the family of Lord Pembroke; he recruited S. H. R. (Rendall) Clarke to help turn around the business which was in financial difficulties[2]
The business continued to struggle, making some of the most expensive but hand-made carpets, until 1957 when Clarke introduced a new strategy, imported new machines and destroyed the old ones. The company became profitable.
1968 Wilton Royal Carpets, a private company, merged with Solent Carpet Co, which was already quoted on the Stock Exchange, as the Wilton Royal Carpet Co. The companies shared a managing director and both had interest in Hampshire Industrial Carpets, maker of tufted carpets[3]
1969 Acquired by Youghal Carpets of Ireland[4]