Blacklock and Macarthur

MESSRS. BLACKLOCK & MACARTHUR, Manufacturers of White Lead, White Zinc, Paints, Colours & Varnishes ; Oil Merchants & Refiners, West & Dale Streets, Tradeston, Glasgow.

    Considering that the firm of Blacklock and Macarthur was only established about fourteen years ago, the importance which the Clydesdale Paint, Oil, and Colour Works owned by them have, during that period, attained is most gratifying. This success is due to reliance on sound business principles, to the manufacture of the best possible qualities of products, and the prompt execution of orders. The firm, however, have displayed no little enterprise, for not only have they successfully competed at the local Glasgow Exhibition, but they have been awarded the highest medals for specimens of their manufactures sent to the colonial exhibitions of Melbourne and Adelaide. Upon all grounds, therefore, the firm may be congratulated on the high standing they have secured in the trade and the reputation their products have gained.

    Their manufactures are exceedingly comprehensive, their oil colours including various kinds of whites, blues, reds and browns, blacks, greens, yellows, and liquid paints ready mixed ; anti-fouling compositions, anti-corrosion paint in all colours, colours in turpentine and water, tinted paints and dryers. Of dry colours they make blacks, blues, browns, greens, lakes, ochres, pinks, reds, whites, and yellows. Oils, turpentines, varnishes, etc., they trade in also, while under the head of sundries is a formidable list of chemicals, of requisites for painters, gilders, builders, engineers, cabinet makers, and other tradesmen. These need not be considered in detail, but there is one speciality of particular interest to importers, invented by Mr. J. S. Macarthur and manufactured by the firm, which merits mention by reason of its ingenuity, simplicity, and utility. This is what is called the Patent Pot and Keg combined. This contrivance effects a great economy of space in packing, and in practical use the combination it embodies is manifestly of great advantage. Even when it has served its purpose as a paint pot it may, in a variety of ways, be turned to account ; so that while, on the one hand, the return of empties is obviated by the use of a keg which is also a paint pot, the keg may be turned to profitable account by the consignee.

    The Clydesdale Paint, Oil, and Colour Works are situated in Dale Street, and the offices and warehouses adjoining in West Street, Tradeston. They comprise extensive and compact buildings and cover a considerable area. These buildings have, during recent years, owing to the firm’s greatly increased trade, been re-constructed and fitted up with improved machinery of the most modern type worked by steam power. The works contain grinding rooms, colour floors, tank rooms containing oil tanks, cask stores, etc. The offices are at the entrance to the works, and they comprise counting house, private offices, reception rooms, and sample rooms. All of these are well appointed. As a rule, though the output of an oil and colour works may be very considerable, the number of hands — having regard to the fact that most of the work is done by mechanical means — is small ; but the firm under notice have in their employ about sixty hands.

    The firm comprise the founders, Messrs. Blacklock and Macarthur and Mr. W. G. Reid, all of whom are well known. Their trade connections are extensive at home and abroad, and they have agencies in London, Liverpool, and a branch depot in Cardiff. They also enjoy the honour of being Government contractors.

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