William Clark & Sons was established in 1736 to finish and sell Irish Linen products. The business was located in Upperlands to harness water power and the family engineered a network of dams and water ways to drive up to 7 Beetling Mills for the finishing of linen! It was John's son Jackson who expanded the business by building a water-wheel on the River Clady where there was a high enough fall. Here began the first mechanical process, Beetling.
When the market demanded white linen, he began a bleaching process which consisted of laying the linen cloth out to dry in the sun. No machinery was involved in this stage.
Continuing to develop with the industrial revolution, weaving was introduced in the early part of the 20th century. The Company continued as a linen producer until the 1950's developing a particular niche for the supply of linen canvas for garment undercollars and interlinings. A significant development was the Company's involvement globally with an innovative process for producing undercollars known as Collapad.
During the next two decades the Company successfully developed another significant business producing the interlinings for men's neckties. Currently Clark's is able to boast a significant UK market share as well as a European export business.
Nowadays, Old Mill division supplies on a commission basis:
- Weaving
- Warping
- Dyeing
- Bleaching
- Finishing
And finished products:
- Tie Interlinings
- Polycotton Pocketing