The Sewing Cotton Agency , selling agents, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, was set up between J & P Coats Ltd , thread manufacturers, Paisley, and Clark & Co Ltd , thread manufacturers, Paisley, in 1889 . By the 1880s both firms were the only major competitors in the field of thread manufacturing and were major rivals. Both were reducing their prices in order to compete in a limited market for custom. In early 1889, an amicable agreement was reached between the two firms for the setting up of a selling agent, named The Sewing Cotton Agency. In 1890 , the arrangement was formalised and the name changed to The Central Agency , with its main office in Glasgow, Scotland.
From the guide to the Records of The Sewing Cotton Agency, selling agents, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, 1889-1890, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
The Sewing Cotton Agency , selling agents, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, was set up by J & P Coats Ltd , thread manufacturers, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland and Clark & Co Ltd , thread manufacturers, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, in 1889 . By the 1880s , both firms were the only major competitors in their field and were major rivals. Both major companies were reducing their prices in order to compete in a limited market for custom. In early 1889, an amicable agreement was reached between the two firms for the setting up of a selling agent, named The Sewing Cotton Agency . The following year the arrangement was formalised and the name changed to The Central Agency , with Jonas Brook & Bros , thread manufacturers, Meltham Mills, Huddersfield, Kirklees, England, joining the partnership. With a capital of å£100,000, any profits or losses, were to be borne equally by the partners. It was agreed that the three companies would sell exclusively through The Central Agency, except for those threads they sold or purchased in the United States of America. Each of the three companies was to have at least one director or partner on the board of The Central Agency. On 24 December 1896 , The Central Agency was incorporated and became The Central Agency Ltd , with its registered address at 89 Wellington Street, Glasgow. It instituted a superannuation fund in January 1906 , which was reconstituted in 1938. Between 1934-1939, J & P Coats Ltd sponsored the Needlework Development in Scotland Scheme, a collaboration between art and design education and industry. The scheme encouraged needlework and, therefore, also the sale of J & P Coats thread. This developed into the nation-wide Needlework Development Scheme managed by The Central Agency Ltd. Loan collections of historical and modern embroideries were developed with examples being purchased by, or donated to, the Scheme. These collections were then exhibited and loaned to schools in order to help teach and promote embroidery as an art form. In 1961, Coats Patons Ltd withdrew funding for the Scheme and it ceased to function. The collection of over 3000 textile items was broken up and disseminated between around 14 universities, colleges and museums in the UK. In 2002, The Central Agency Ltd was still active, based at Wellington Street, Glasgow, Scotland.
On 27 June 1929 The Central Agency (Australia) Limited was incorporated, as a selling agent for Australia. The registered office was at 89 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Scotland. The Central Agency were the managers. In June 1937 the capital of The Central Agency (Australia) Ltd was increased from å£10,000 to å£20,000. The company was still trading in 1962.
From the guide to the Records of The Central Agency Ltd, selling agents, Glasgow, Scotland, 1871-1969, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
