Fletcher & Stewart Ltd (sugar machinery manufacturers : 1956-c1990 : Derby, England)

Duncan Stewart & Co Ltd was founded in 1840 when Peter Stewart set up a workshop at 77 Bishop Street, Anderston, Glasgow. Joined later by his son, Duncan Stewart (1844-1904), the business expanded to larger premises in Bridgeton in 1864. This site was known as the London Road Ironworks and it remained the firm's headquarters until 1962. However, the partnership was short-lived as Peter Stewart died in 1864 and Duncan took charge of the company.

Initially, the workshops covered 3,600 sq ft and employed 80 people. Duncan Stewart was responsible for the application of hydraulic pressure cylinders to sugar cane mills and was granted a patent for this in 1871. He continued to develop both his textile machinery and sugar processing machinery after that date. In 1879, he married Marie Beardmore, daughter of William Beardmore, Snr, and sister of William Beardmore, Jnr, owner of the Parkhead Forge in the east end of the city. He diversified into marine engineering in 1881 while creating new markets for sugar machinery in Java, Australia, Egypt and Japan, as well as in the West Indies.

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