| Title | Wilson’s, Silver Cross, Nethermoor Works. |
| Date | 1928 |
| Location | Leeds/Guiseley |
| Photo ID | E450 |
| Comment | See below… |
A display stand at the British Industries Fair held in London, on show are examples of the Wilson company all weather prams, built to the standard of a saloon car. In 1928 the company were still based in Leeds, they moved to Guiseley in 1936 and where this story begins….
T79 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1939-45.
These baby carts were made by Wilson’s at their Silver Cross pram works during 1939 – 45.
A member of the Dearing family is in the one on the right, his cousin is on the left.
C421 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
Commemorative booklet produced to mark the 80 years the company had been manufacturing Silver Cross prams and pushchairs.
C422 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
WILLIAM WISLON & SONS LIMITED 1877 – 1957
For eighty years we have been in business as manufacturers of baby carriages, and here we would pause and ask you to share with us our reflections. With this regard we turn to . . .
C423 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
1877
Mr WILLIAM WILSON started business as a perambulator manufacturer at Hunslet, Leeds. He had commenced work at the age of eight in a saw mill in Sunderland, and later served his time in an engineering works.
Whe twenty-one years of age, Mr. Wilson removed to Leeds, working first as a perambulator spring smith before starting his own business which, thanks largely to the assistance of Mrs. Wilson, rapidly grew, and a few years later it was removed to more extensive and central premises in Leeds. Later Mr. Wilson had to move to even larger premises, this time in Dewsbury Road, Leeds.
In 1897 a new factory was built in Whitehouse Street, Leeds, but it was destroyed a year later by fire. Without loss of time a new and larger factory was then erected on the same ground, and known as the Silver Cross Works, Whitehouse Street, Leeds.
The death of Mr. William Wilson occurred in 1913. Throughout his life he had been one of the most prolific inventors in the pram trade, his patents exceeding 30 in number. Among his numerous inventions were the improved double suspension hammock, folding shafts for mailcarts and convertible mailcarts.
After the death of the Founder, the business was carried on by his three sons – Mr. James W. Wilson, Mr. W. Irwin Wilson and Mr. Alfred Wilson.
C424 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
In 1926 the business became incorporated, and between that year and 1936 continual expansion took place. It soon became apparent, however, that larger premises would have to be acquired if progress was to be maintained, and this led to the purchase by Mr. Jame Wilson of the mill at Guiseley, which is our present home. The new premises seemed vast and likely to be permanently in excess of our requirements. Regrettably Mr. James Wilson was not to see the results of his far-sighted action of purchasing the mill, for his death occurred in 1938. Mr. Alf. Wilson and his two nephews, Mr. William Noble Wilson and Mr. Lawrence Noble Wilson, continito manufacture on traditional lines.
With the outbreak of war in 1939, the main portion of the factory was requisitioned by the Ait Ministry. The remaining section was converted to the production of aircraft parts, of which 16,000,000 were turned out during the war years, and to the manufacture of war-time baby carriages and rickshaws, of which a high output was maintained.
In 1944 Mr. Alf. Wilson, who had done so much in his lifetime to establish the goodwill of the Company, died, and the two brothers, Mr.W. N. Wilson and Mr. L. N. Wilson became Joint Managing Directors. Immediately after the war we decided to apply the experience gained during the war years in the manipulation of aluminium to baby carriage production, by replacing plywood with aluminium. Very rapidly our methods of production were transformed. We installed rubber die presses, spot welding machines, conveyor stoves for enamelling, chromium-plating plant and other up-to-date equipment. It is largely due to the boundless energy of Mr. W. N. Wilson, whose death occurred in 1952, that this transformation was successfully carried out.
The instalklation of new and more efficient machinery still continues, for our policy is to keep abreast of modern trends whilst retaining the traditional skill and craftmanship of the past.
Now we have told you something ot our history, perhaps you would like to accompany us through some of the departments of Silver Cross Works . . . . . .
C425 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
This was the First Aid room where medical help was available for the workforce.
C426 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
Men at work in the tool room where tools were made and repaired.
C427 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
The heavy press shop, in this department rubber die presses with a maximum pressure of 1,750 tons formed the pram sides, complete with design, from sheets of aluminium.
C428 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
A sinister sounding acid bath department, degreasing of pram bodies took place in this area preparatory to welding and enamelling. The man are wearing protective gloves for the work.
C429 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
Pram boy assembly area, the ladies are “pop” riveting and spot welding the aluminium bodies for Silver Cross prams.
C430 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
Paint stoving area for primary coating and conveyors taking the pram bodies on to the next process of stove enamelling.
C431 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
Conveyor stove for the stove enamelling process which allows the enamel to reflow and cool into a mirror-like finish without any hand or mechanical polishing needed.
C432 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
Electronic welding department where radio frequency welding of upholstery took place.
C433 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
Wheel assembly area, the workers are fitting spokes and truing before tyres are fitted.
C434 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
The light press shop for the cropping and forming of small parts.
Page 1 of 7 More >>
Consolidated by J Brayshaw. 13 December 2023
Last Updated: 13 December 2023.
