In 1895 the Gourock Ropeworks Co Ltd , rope makers and textile manufacturers, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Scotland, decided to establish a South African office. It was opened in 1897 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and soon trade was also being established in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Johannesburg, South Africa. The company opened offices in Capetown, South Africa, in 1899 . The South African War at the beginning of the century resulted in the business' steady growth and offices were opened in Johannesburg (which became the head office), Durban, East London and Bloemfontein. Branches in Rhodesia were also established in Bulawayo and Salisbury and an office at Ndolo in 1949 .
Gourock Ropes & Canvas (Africa) Ltd , Johannesburg, was formed in 1949 to acquire the African business of the Gourock Ropeworks Co Ltd. Gourock Ropes & Canvas (Rhodesia) Ltd was also formed in 1949 as a subsidiary of the African company to look after the interests in Rhodesia, its head office being in Ndolo. In 1947 a new net factory was opened in Cape Town where hand braided nets were produced for the fishing industry. Net looms were imported from England and installed in 1948. As well as becoming the chief supplier of nets in South Africa, it was also hoped that the company would export its products to Australia and New Zealand. Between the two companies in South Africa and Rhodesia, virtually the whole of the southern African continent from below the Congo was supplied. The companies appear to have ceased trading in the late 1960s .
Source: GB 248 UGD 42/11/8/3 The Gourock Brochure (1954)f
From the guide to the Records of the Gourock Ropes & Canvas (Africa) Ltd, rope makers and textile manufacturers, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1909-1968, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
