 | Merger | Workers - Stoddard carpet factory, Kilmarnock 2004 |
When foreign companies started manufacturing their own floor coverings, Scotland's carpet manufacturers had to find ways of competing with them. Some joined forces to form bigger companies. Others were taken over by larger companies. Many factories closed. Workers were made redundant or moved to new factories. Often, old machinery was transferred from factories which were closing into those remaining open. There was little investment in new, more modern machinery. These sources provide useful evidence of Scotland's carpet industry at a time of change and development.
 | Workers - Templeton carpet factory, Glasgow 1950s |
Robert Biggin retired Templeton's worker. (2004). "In the 40s and 50s, let's see how many carpet companies I can name... Templeton's and Stoddard, Gray's of Ayr, Stevenson's of Burnbank, Henry Widnell Stewart in Midlothian, Thompson Shepard in Dundee, Marshall Brush in Dundee. Now they are probably the largest or they were the largest carpet manufacturers at that time in the 40s and 50s."
 | A Templeton's carpet on its way to Queen's Town |
"In the 60s the late 60s, Templeton's took over Gray's of Ayr and Templeton's were consequently taken over by a company called the Guthrie Corporation. Guthrie had already purchased a company called Kingsmead carpets in Cumnock."
 | Jacquard machine - Kilmarnock 2004 |
This machine was manufactured in Paisley then went to Ireland, Kilmarnock, Elderslie and then, finally, came back to Kilmarnock. All this, as a result of carpet companies being bought over by larger companies. |  | |
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