Somerville & Morrison Ltd. was created by my Great Grandfather John Somerville. He was the son of a weaver and was originally from Kirkintilloch. John left school at the ripe age of 12 to learn clerking in a grocers shop as during these years money was scarce for everyone, and so when you could work, you worked. By the time he was 16 he became a ships clerk on the Forth & Clyde Canal, continuing his training and learning about the industry.
At 18 he moved to Glasgow to work at Port Glasgow being involved in various organisational activities like arranging for cargoes to be delivered to ships for further destinations and also for ships to be unloaded and the cargoes distributed through out Scotland. He increased his salary from £70 to £77 per annum. My great grandfather was always aware of the vast business in tarpaulins and covers for the ships railway and canal boats and with his knowledge in the shipping industry from being a clerk at 16 to organising activities at the sprightly age of 18, it wouldn’t be long before he started to branch out on his own.
A textile business became available in David Street, Bridgeton, in 1870, which was capable of manufacturing the tarpaulins. With his salary and a loan John was able to enter into the purchase. The business grew steadily but was situated behind some Tenement buildings and the residents were not too keen on the smells of tars using to treat the cloth. An expansion plan was required and in 1873, 1.5 acres of land was purchased in Eastfield, Rutherglen.
Buildings were constructed and as business expanded, machinery was added for the manufacture of flax and jute products. The main product being brattice cloth which was shipped world wide. It was used in the ventilation systems in coal pits and mines. Being treated with a salt solution it was the flame retardant material of its day. It was placed down the middle of the mine to allow for the stale air to flow freely up the mine without tainting the clean air being pumped down into the mine.
With the onset of the world wars, the work force was required to serve and the addition of webbing and belts for the armed forces were added and this helped to keep the company afloat through both “The Great War” and “World War II”. At this time the company survived by having whole families work for it. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and cousins were all in to help not only keep the company working but also to ensure that there was work and money coming into families when both were scarce.
During the great recession that the followed between the world wars, my great grandfathers friend Tom Morrison, a medical Doctor by profession, invested in the company to help with expansion and therefore the creation of Somerville & Morrison, later to become a limited company.
Due to the early demise of Mr. Morrison, the company faced hardship with finding money to pay the widow for their family interests in the business. These funds were found from family and the business continued with my grandfather and his brother at the helm.
Products were always looked at for improvement and the trend has continued through my father and his cousin. I and my wife, Valerie, now run the company with the help of our four sons and wives, not only keeping the family in employment but adding their knowledge and expertise to allow the company to expand and branch out into new markets.
The company moved in 2004 due to compulsory purchase order which was sited to the company in 1985. This was for the planned extension on the M74 motorway. We were able to purchase a site still within the Rutherglen area and have really moved “round the corner”.
The web site will explain all of today’s manufacturing capabilities and the team will only be too pleased to help you with any enquiries that you may have.Yours Sincerely
Tom Somerville
Quality & Technical Director |
