| Title | Wilson’s, Silver Cross, Nethermoor Works. |
| Date | Undated |
| Location | Guiseley |
| Photo ID | F884 |
| Comment | See below… |
Continued… A selection of a further six prestigious prams produced at Lawrence Wilson’s Silver Cross works, including miniature versions for dolls. Photographer Jack Simon.
F885 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, Undated.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – Undated
As above.
F886 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, Undated.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – Undated
As above.
F887 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, Undated.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – Undated
As above.
F888 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, Undated.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – Undated
As above.
F889 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, Undated.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – Undated
As above.
C438 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1957.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1957
A fleet of 5 Silver Cross delivery vehicles on Otley Road, the photo was taken to mark 80 years of Lawrence Wilson & Sons production of Silver Cross prams.
Donated by Kim Broadhead.
FB013 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1958.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1958
Some of the staff who were employed at Wilson’s Silver Cross pram works.
On the 3rd row are: Jack and Nellie Elliot, just right of centre, he is wearing bib and brace overalls, Nellie is on his right.
Left on the front row are ladies who are thought to be nursery nurses (there was a staff nursery) also ladies in overalls who were possibly canteen staff.
Donated by Christine Phillips.
L119 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, c1960s.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – c1960s
A works outing for the staff of Lawrence Wilson’s Silver Cross pram factory.
Donated by Richard Thomas Phillips.
L123 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, c1960s.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – c1960s
Group of ladies who worked at the Lawrence Wilson’s Silver Cross pram factory.
Donated by Richard Thomas Phillips.
L124 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, c1960s.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – c1960s
The staff of Silver Cross pram works on an outing, a number of coaches had been used to transport the many who enjoyed the day out.
Donated by Richard Thomas Phillips.
C337 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1970.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1970
The outer cover of a commemorative booklet for Lawrence Wilson’s Silver Cross pram works.
C338 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1970.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1970
Text at the start of a commemorative booklet.
C339 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1970.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1970
Images and a short history of the company.
For over 90 years the business has steadily grown, until today the name ‘Wilsons of Guiseley’ is synonymous with all that is traditionally finest among British baby carriages.
On the death in 1913 of Mr. William Wilson, who founded the firm in 1877, the business was carried on by his three sons. Since 1954, whenMr. Lawrence Noble Wilson, the present Chairman and Managing Director, was appointed following the death of his brother, the Company has vigorously pursued a policy of expansion and increasing automation. The fact that as many baby carriages are now produced in a fortnight as were produced in a whole year in 1936 when the present site at Guiseley was purchased, testifies to the expansion that has been achieved so far. The original factory, which was formerly a silk mill, has been considerably extended and is still growing. Even so the Company has had to look elsewhere for additional productive capacity. In 1957 a factory was purchased at Baildon and the installation of the most up-to-date machinery for induction welding of upo9lstery components helped considerably in the effort necessary to enable production to keep pace with demand for the Company’s products.
Infra-red stove enamelling, electrostatic paint spraying, reflow processing, rotary polishing, induction welding, overhead conveyors and plastic moulding, are among the many operations which have been perfected over the years to ensure the manufacture of a quality product. In 1964 a fully automatic chromium plating plant was installed to meet the noticeable increase in the amount of plated surfaces required by modern baby carriage design. This plant enables all the chromium-plated components required to be produced to the same high standard as all the Wilson and Silver Cross products. A modern factory has recently been acquired on the outskirts of York and, with the installation of the most up-to-date machinery in fulfilment of the policy of increasing automation, a further valuable contribution is being made to the task of fulfiling the ever-growing demand for Wilson and Silver Cross products.
Truly can it be said that this is a family business and Mr. Jeffrey Noble Wilson, the Chairman’s son, who joined the Company in 1963, is carrying on the family tradition. The loyalty and devotion of 580 men and women who make up this ‘family’ business in the widest sense of that term, many of whom have been associated with the Company and have dedicated themselves to its service for a great many years, has played and is continuing to play a great part in the Company’s growth.
Now we have told you something of our history we should like you to accompany us through some of the Departments . . . . .
C340 – Wilson’s of Guiseley, 1970.
Wilson’s of Guiseley – 1970
The Board of Directors, from the left are:
G Dawson Company Secretary, K L Savage Sales Director, N Mulligan Assistant Managing Director, W Dixon OBE, L N Wilson Chairman and Managing Director, F P Bleach, J N Wilson and Mrs A A Wilson, Vice Chairman.
