Gourock Ropes & Canvas Ltd (rope makers and textile manufacturers: 1888-1999: Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Scotland)
The Gourock Ropeworks Co , rope makers and textile manufacturers, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Scotland, created the wholly owned subsidiary Gourock Ropes & Canvas Ltd in 1888 to deal with the overseas trade. The first branch was opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1888 and in 1902 a branch in Sydney, Australia was opened.
The Buenos Aires branch traded chiefly in manila rope, cotton and flax sail cloth and Birkmyre's waterproof cloth. Until 1906 , when machinery was sent out from Britain and a small factory established, all covers and tents were hand sewn. Trade with shipping companies for awnings, ropes, hatch and cargo covers increased. The factory closed in 1918 and new purpose built works were erected in 1924 providing both a factory and a store. Supplies of manila ropes, which were imported from Port Glasgow, often were insufficient and it was decided in the 1930s to start production of ropes in Buenos Aires, a main buyer of which was the Argentine government. In 1940 a proofing department was installed to produce a lower quality waterproof canvas that would compete with the rivals that were coming onto the market. During the Second World War the materials needed to produce rope that were normally imported from Port Glasgow were no longer available and it was decided that hard fibre spinning plant be installed to allow the manufacturer of the yarn needed for rope. By 1954 the plant was running successfully. The company appears to have ceased trading in the 1960s and the Gourock Ropes & Canvas Ltd was dissolved in 1999 .
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