Cleckheaton’s principal, Fred James, former boss of the Jack O’Lantern knitwear firm, visited Yorkshire, England in 1968 on a mission to buy fine pure-wool worsted yarn, at the time in short supply in Australia.
The Tocumwal-born 67-year-old textile entrepreneur not only bought the required yarn, but also the entire worsted spinning mill of Cleckheaton (Yorkshire) Ltd in the small town of the same name near the wool capital of Bradford.
A year later, James had the entire 600 tonnes of plant and equipment, the managers, 35 skilled spinners and mill hands transported to Shepparton via Melbourne’s Station Pier.
When the business started it had assets of $160,000; by 1968, the enterprise was worth $10 million.
And by September 1968, in its 20 years from a standing start, the company calculated it had paid out dividends to shareholders of 221.75 per cent.
It remained active and synonymous with Shepparton for the ensuing 12 years.
The Shepparton Heritage Centre is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested, contact the centre on 4831 8659.
