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Thomas Middleton History Of Hyde
At one time one of the largest manufacturing firms in Hyde.
The business of Redfern’s Rubber
Works Ltd. Was commenced in March, 1900, by Mr Wilfred E. Redfern. His first warehouse was situated in Mount
Street, Hyde, and consisted of a front room in a small building, other parts of
which were occupied by a bakery and the Spiritualist church. Here Mr Redfern
carried on Business in cycle tyres, pedal rubbers and other rubber sundries for
the cycle trade. The business steadily progressed, and Mr Thomas C. Redfern was
invited to join his brother to enable the new firm to cover a larger area, and
increase its turnover. They then removed to a building in Raglan Street, and
later to a warehouse in Clarendon Street.
By this time the firm had taken
up the sale of rubber heels, which was at that time new in the boot trade, and
it was not long before Mr Wilfred and Mr Thomas Redfern, by their enterprise
and initiative, gained a foremost place in this new branch of the rubber
industry. Foreseeing the tremendous possibilities of this new article of
universal use, they patented several of their own inventions, and registered
many special designs and trade names both at home and abroad. Up to 1905 their
heels had been manufactured for them, but in 1906 they purchased Spring Bank
Mill, Dawson Street Hyde with a view to manufacturing for themselves. The first
Redfern’s ‘Navy’ pad was produced in Redfern’s own factory on New Year’s Eve
1907. The acquisition of this mill
provided a great impetus to the activities of Messrs’ Redfern. They had ceased
to be merchants, and had promoted themselves to the rank of manufacturers. Mr
Thomas Redfern managed the financial and commercial side of the concern, and Mr
T.C. Redfern took charge of the works, it machinery and productions. Miss
Sophia Redfern was appointed to supervise the women and girls employed, and
shortly afterwards Mr Arnold H. Redfern and Mr J. Arthur Redfern joined the
firm.
In 1905, Redfern’s had been
registered as ‘The Non-Slipping Silent Heel Co. Ltd., with a capital of £5,000,
but in 1908 the nominal capital was increased to £80,000, and the name of the
company changed to Redfern’s Rubber Works Ltd. As trade increased the plant and
equipment of the works was steadily extended, the many innovations were
introduced to increase production and reduce costs. By this time the Company
had gained the reputation of being one of the most progressive rubber firms in
the country. During 1910, Redfern’s embarked upon their first national
advertising campaign in the newspapers and magazine with the object “ of making
‘Redfern’s’ a household word for rubber heels.” To develop the sales still
further, Mr Arnold H. Redfern was appointed to London in 1911 to open the first
branch depot and office at 10 Gresham St. London. Whilst the Home business was
being consolidated, the Export trade was not neglected, and agents were
appointed to represent the Company in many parts of the Empire and in foreign
countries. International Exhibitions were utilised to introduce their goods to
foreign customers; diplomas and medals being won at Liege (1905), London (1906)
Milan (1906), and Turin (1911). In 1912 it was decided to manufacture cycle
tyres and tubes and solid tyres for commercial vehicles. About this time the
Heel department, searching for new lines, experimented with the production of
waterproofed leather. This was not a success, but the experiments led to the
discovery of the formula for ‘Economite’ a unique material for soleing and
heeling boots and shoes which had many
advantages to recommend it for
general use, and which, on account of its durability and waterproof qualities,
proved of immense value during the period of the war when satisfactory leather
was unobtainable.
Although several additions had
already been made to the original mill, the continued growth of the Rubber Heel
business and the preparations necessary for the manufacture of ‘Economite’ and
of tyres called for still more buildings and plant. After careful consideration,
a new mill was was erected at the top of Dawson Street, between the original
mill and the railway. This building was equipped with the most modern plant for
the manufacture of solid and pneumatic tyres and tubes. The Company had now become
to large for the Redfern family themselves to finance, and in March, 1913, it
was converted into a Public Limited Company. In October, 1913, the capital of
the Company was increased to £100, 000 to provide additional money required for
the new buildings and plant and still further improvements. During this period
an Engineers’ Shop was installed to enable the Company to do its own running
repairs to plant and machinery, and to make the moulds required for the variety
of articles now being produced.
Before Redfern’s could get their
tyres on the market, the upheaval of trade caused by the Great War broke upon
them, and for the moment it appeared as though all their labours would be in
vain, and their hopes dashed to pieces. The new mill, now completed and
equipped, was offered to the Government for the manufacture of solid tyres and
car tubes for the army, and throughout the war the factory was working at full
capacity producing these and other important articles under Government
supervision. They made large quantities of mouth pieces for gas masks,
respiratory tubes, ‘Ebonite’ rims, swimming collars, and soles and heels for
trench boots, and knee and thigh strap for waders. The firm took a prominent
part in the formation of the Hyde War Savings Association, and encouraged their
work-people to buy the Certificates. The splendid total of £34,130 was invested
in the Certificates through Redfern’s “Silver Bullet League,” and the town’s
effort was stimulated and encouraged by the enthusiastic example set by Redfern’s
League.
To assist in the distribution of
their goods, and to build up a reputation for prompt service in anticipation of
substantial developments on the termination of the war, the firm opened
branches at Glasgow (1914), Bristol
(1918), and Leeds (1919). At the conclusion of the war, Mr T. Harwood Redfern
and George Lever joined the Company, and later were elected to the Board. The
necessity for up-to-date laboratory attached to the works became imperative,
and Mr George Lever was deputed to equip a research department for experimental
work, so that the firm might take a leading part in the development of new
processes in the industry. Further extensions had been made to the works during
this period. Early in 1920 the capital of Company was further increased to
£200, 000.
Then came the great trade slump
of 1920-22, in which Redfern’s suffered in common with the whole of British
commerce. Drastic economies were affected;
unprofitable departments were shut down. Then followed the closing of the
Glasgow and Bristol depots. The economic upheaval which compelled these curtailments also forced
the Company to redouble its efforts at home and abroad. New advertising
campaigns were embarked on and a House Magazine introduced to link customers
more closely to the firm. A factory was purchased at Wincham near Northwich,
and production of tennis shoes and felt slippers with rubber soles was
commenced there. Experiments were made in the laboratory and in the works to
find new lines for manufacture to take place of the lost trade, and to keep the
factory busy. Emerging from this research work, departments were established
for “Tufhide” soles and heels: “Ebonite” goods for the wireless and electrical
trades; advertising mats, household rubbers, rubber flooring and interlocking
tiles.
In 1924 Mr T. C. Redfern retired,
and Mr J.Arthur Redfern was appointed Works Managing Director to fill the
vacancy.
On October 22nd 1926,
H.R.H. The Princess Helena Victoria, G.B.E. honoured the works with a visit,
and graciously accepted a gift of rubber table mats as a souvenir of the
occasion.
The enlargements of the Company’s
activities and the Company’s activities and the constant search for new lines
to make and sell as progressively broadened the base of its operations. From
being solely manufacturers of rubber heels and soles, the firm is now
established as General Rubber manufacturers. They employed hundreds of workers
at their Hyde factory and at Wincham, in addition to a large number of salesmen
and depot staff in other parts of the country.
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Please feel free to comment with your memories of Redferns, and maybe fill in some of the history not covered.
