J. H. Young and Co.

MESSRS. J. H. YOUNG & Co., Muslin Manufacturers, 92, Union Street, Glasgow.

    The original home of muslin weaving is the East Indies, where even to this day wonderful fabrics of airy lightness and delicacy continue to be woven with the aid of the most primitive appliances. The most delicate muslins are made at Dacca, and webs have been woven of yarn estimated to be equal to what is technically termed 380° (that is, 380 hanks each 840 yards long, weighing one pound). The making of muslin in Europe was first attempted at Glasgow in 1780. Indian bird’s-nest yarn had, however, to be procured for the web. The improvements in machinery, effected about that time, however, soon enabled spinners to produce fine yarns ; and thereafter the muslin trade took firm hold in the West of Scotland. The perfection of combing machinery in recent times has also been the means of enabling our spinners to supply yarn much finer than any that has ever been spun in India.

    The muslin trade now forms an important industry in Scotland, and of the many firms engaged in this industry none are more worthy of notice than Messrs. J. H. Young and Co., of 92, Union Street, Glasgow. This business was established over seventy years ago by Mr. J. H. Young, who died some eighteen years ago. The firm, however, is still carried on under the same style and title by his two sons, Messrs. James and John E. Young, the present sole proprietors. This house owns a large mill at Bridgeton, in the east end of Glasgow, and employs between three hundred and four hundred girls regularly, number being greatly exceeded at certain seasons. During the occupation of Messrs. Young, the mill has been burned down on two occasions, and, although it has not been wholly rebuilt, is still an immense place.

    Being in Mill Street, Greenhead, Bridgetown, the mill is admirably situated, and is surrounded on all sides by mills innumerable. The position occupied affords special facilities for the transit of goods, being almost on the banks of the Clyde and near to that famous public park, Glasgow Green. This firm is now the oldest engaged in the plain and fancy muslin industry in Glasgow, and the personal superintendence, enterprise, and vigorous policy adopted in the management has been the means of building up a sound and valuable connection.

    The firm (whose business transactions are all wholesale), in addition to having an immense local trade, has a very substantial circle of customers in all parts of the country, and exports large quantities to the Continent and various parts of the world. The premises of Messrs. J. H. Young and Co., in Union Street, are commodious and excellently appointed. Even in this one of the most important and central streets in the city no house excels that of the firm under notice for cleanliness, order, and efficient and systematic management. The building contains a large warehouse, showrooms, counting house, and other offices, and is divided to suit the special requirements for stock-keeping and facilitating the quick despatch of orders received. A large staff of gentlemen, specially conversant and experienced in the muslin industry, is engaged at the Union Street establishment. The firm is well known among buyers in all parts of the world, and Messrs. James and John E. Young are both highly esteemed and respected alike for their straightforward and upright policy in business matters and their personal good qualities in private life.

Back to Index of Firms (1891)