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….
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.
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 . . . . . .
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Consolidated by J Brayshaw. 13 December 2023
Last Updated: 13 December 2023.