Archibald Thomson & Co.

ARCHIBALD THOMSON & CO., Glasgow Rope Works. Office and Warehouse :— 58, Howard Street, Glasgow. Works :— Shettleston, near Glasgow.

    One of the oldest houses engaged in this branch of productive industry in Glasgow and the surrounding districts is that of Messrs. Archibald Thomson & Co., manufacturers of all descriptions of hemp ropes, cordage, gaskins, lines and twines, &c., besides wire ropes of all kinds for collieries, ships, &c., whose established position in the trade fully merits prominent recognition in these records of the commercial progress of Glasgow and its Environments.

    The business was originally founded in 1842 by Mr. Archibald Thomson, and has since that date been constantly extended and developed to its present successful proportions by the energy and enterprise infused into the management by the proprietors. The premises occupied by Messrs. Thomson include spacious offices and warehouse at 58, Howard Street, Glasgow, affording ample accommodation for the administrative departments of the business, and the extensive manufactory known as the Glasgow Rope Works, Shettleston.

    The latter are of commodious proportions, comprising three rope walks or “railways” 555 yards in length, with others of varying distances ; four large mills fully equipped with modern machinery for the manufacture of wire ropes ; and extensive accommodation for spinning the yarn required for rope making. The remaining portions of the premises include spacious stores for the raw material and finished goods and engine house and boiler sheds, steam power being supplied throughout the works by two powerful steam engines of 500 horse power each.

    The productions of the firm include flat ropes of the best Rhine, Italian, and Manilla hemp ; ships’ cordage, rope, gaskins, cord, &c.; lines and twines, wire ropes, cords, strands, conductors and guides, and the leading specialities of the house in driving ropes. The “Hercules” (registered) which has now been running for some years, is apparently bound to supersede many of the other makes of driving ropes, where firms are really desirous to work with a first-class article. The trade of the firm is of world-wide proportions, Messrs. Thomson’s connection embracing the leading buyers of this class of goods in every quarter of the globe, and it is noteworthy that at the date of our representative’s recent visit an extensive order for Japan was in course of completion at the works.

    The services of 300 hands are employed in the various departments, and an efficient stud of horses, lorries, &c., is required for the delivery of goods, &c., the whole being capably conducted under the controlling direction of the principals, every detail of the management displaying administrative ability of the highest order, so essential for the successful carrying out of an undertaking of this magnitude and importance. In conclusion we may add that the telegraphic address of the firm is “Thomson, Glasgow”, and their telephone number 548.

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