Crompton & Knowles Loom Works

Firm was established in 1897 by the consolidation of Crompton Loom Works (established 1851) and Knowles Loom Works (established 1855). It had manufacturing facilities in Worcester, Mass., Providence, R.I., Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C.

The company, located in Worcester, Mass., began in 1851 as a partnership of Merrill Furbush and George Crompton to manufacture looms for fancy fabrics invented by William Crompton. When Furbush moved to Philadelphia in 1859 the firm became Crompton Loom Works. George Crompton died in 1886 and the firm incorporated in 1888. The Knowles Loom Works began in Warren, Mass. in 1862 as L.J. Knowles & Brother and moved to Worcester in 1866. L.J. Knowles was also a prolific inventor and held patents for many looms and motions. He died in 1884 and in 1885 the company was incorporated. The two companies were rivals for many years and filed several charges of patent infringement. To settle the conflict the two firms merged in 1897 and Knowles bought out the Crompton interests.

Between 1897 and 1907 several companies making specialized looms were acquired: Albert Loom Works, M.A. Furbush and Sons, A.H. Stelle and Brothers, and Crompton-Thayer Loom Co. The company became a leading producer of multi-shuttle and specialty looms for diverse items from ribbons to carpets.