John Crawford

JOHN CRAWFORD, Produce Importer and Commission Merchant, 16 and 18, Stockwell Place (off Stockwell Street), Glasgow.

    The business of Mr. John Crawford, Produce Importer and Commission Merchant, has indicated such rapid progress since its establishment in 1887 that its work and operations possess an importance in the trade which it is impossible to overlook in any survey of Glasgow’s modern activity and commerce. Under the able and enterprising control of Mr. John Crawford — who is well known among all connected with the produce trade — the business has developed many interesting trade features, and its transactions in all kinds of home and foreign produce may be said to cover a very large proportion of this leading and representative branch of Glasgow trade.

    The house has become an accredited agency for margarine of a high quality, representing, as it does, the undertaking of David Jansen, of Ravestein, Holland, whose varied brands of the commodity are known to be superior to many very inferior classes of butter nowadays sold, and are distinguished under the names of La Nouveanté, La Grande, Superieur, and Le Soleil. The mixtures of this noted Dutch factory are identified also under the names of Le Premier, Le Second, La Specialité, L’Imperial, La Favorité, Le Publique, and La Mode, and throughout Scotland these have been advanced upon public recognition by the active agency of Mr. Crawford and his efficient staff of representatives.

    He deals extensively in Irish and foreign eggs, also in all classes of tinned meats from Australia and America, and in dried fruits, including raisins and currants. Butter, cheese, flour, lard, marrowfat, and everything embraced in the comprehensive category of provision supplies are brought under Mr. Crawford’s trading operations — the warehouse and basement store at Stockwell Place indicating a prolixity of resource well fitted to provide with greatest promptitude and satisfaction for the many patrons of the house. The counting-house and the whole other departments are arranged and appointed in good taste, and everything is here preserved under the most favourable conditions.

    The premises are centrally located for the market and railway as well as steamer communication, and every transaction can thus be carried out with the facility, economy, and promptitude which, in these times of brisk competition, tradesmen must consider along with the prices of all commodities. The premises have a frontage of about 40ft. To the left, on entering, is a well-appointed office, and on the right is the salesroom. At the rear is a commodious and well-ventilated warehouse. A cellar runs the whole length of the premises and provides excellent and cool storage for butter, &c. In a word, everything is especially suited to the trade.

    Mr. Crawford has agents in Dundee, Aberdeen, Leith, and Edinburgh, each of which forms a profitable and prosperous intermediary for the disposal of the regular consignments of fresh and reliable goods that pass through the hands of this firm. The requirements of an extensive local connection are well provided for, and three commercial travellers are constantly on the road. Besides the conduct of the general business Mr. Crawford travels himself, and is well known among retail traders, who anticipate his periodical visits with some degree of pleasure. As a gentleman of considerable experience, gained in the service of one of the leading importers in the City, Mr. Crawford directs all matters of a far-extending and influential business with much discriminating tact and enterprise, and of late years has done much to accomplish the extension of its ramifications and its usefulness as a profitable and convenient centre of the trade.

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