Thomas Ferguson & Co Ltd
Encyclopedia
Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen is the last remaining of the old established Irish linen
Jacquard weavers in Ireland. Situated in Banbridge
, Northern Ireland
it has been weaving since 1854. The Company, bears the name of its founder, Thomas Ferguson (1820–1900), who was born at Clare, near the village of Waringstown
in Co. Down
They are almost exclusively weavers of linen fabrics, made from yarns spun from 100% flax
fibre. These fabrics are made up into luxury household linens and gifts, such as napery
, bed linen, traditional lettered tea towels, etc., by Thomas Ferguson and others who purchase their fabrics.
Thomas Ferguson & Co Ltd were always one of the smaller Irish linen weavers. They specialised in finer linens, and bespoke weaving, sometimes of only one special sized tablecloth, or the weaving-in of the customers own family crest, company logo or special design. They set up their weaving plant to allow them to commercially deal with this type of small order, whilst the larger companies produced volume and went for big hotel contracts,or the like. The top end, and custom work, that Thomas Ferguson's specialised in became more what individual customers wanted as the industry came under more and more pressure from low cost countries. Larger contracts were squeezed out to the low cost producers, but the quality custom work that Ferguson's concentrated on largely remained as this involved smaller orders and generally 'fell under the radar' of the larger producers in the low cost countries.
They are a member of the Irish Linen Guild
.
Since 1988 it has been part of the Franklins Group of companies. Since that time the Ferguson family has no longer been involved in the business.
Tours are run of the factory to allow visitors to see Irish linen
damask being woven.
Irish linen
Irish linen is the brand name given to linen produced in Ireland. Linen is cloth woven from, or yarn spun from the flax fibre, which was grown in Ireland for many years before advanced agricultural methods and more suitable climate led to the concentration of quality flax cultivation in northern...
Jacquard weavers in Ireland. Situated in Banbridge
Banbridge
Banbridge is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Bann and the A1 road. It was named after a bridge built over the Bann in 1712. The town grew as a coaching stop on the road from Belfast to Dublin and thrived from Irish linen manufacturing...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
it has been weaving since 1854. The Company, bears the name of its founder, Thomas Ferguson (1820–1900), who was born at Clare, near the village of Waringstown
Waringstown
Waringstown is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, two miles south-east of Lurgan. It lies within the parish of Donaghcloney, and in the barony of Iveagh Lower, Lower Half. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 2,523 people. It was built during the Plantation of Ulster and is typical of...
in Co. Down
They are almost exclusively weavers of linen fabrics, made from yarns spun from 100% flax
Flax
Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...
fibre. These fabrics are made up into luxury household linens and gifts, such as napery
Napery
Napery is another term for linen used for household purposes, such as table linen. Historically it was the office in a medieval household responsible for the washing and storage of these items. It was headed by a naperer...
, bed linen, traditional lettered tea towels, etc., by Thomas Ferguson and others who purchase their fabrics.
Thomas Ferguson & Co Ltd were always one of the smaller Irish linen weavers. They specialised in finer linens, and bespoke weaving, sometimes of only one special sized tablecloth, or the weaving-in of the customers own family crest, company logo or special design. They set up their weaving plant to allow them to commercially deal with this type of small order, whilst the larger companies produced volume and went for big hotel contracts,or the like. The top end, and custom work, that Thomas Ferguson's specialised in became more what individual customers wanted as the industry came under more and more pressure from low cost countries. Larger contracts were squeezed out to the low cost producers, but the quality custom work that Ferguson's concentrated on largely remained as this involved smaller orders and generally 'fell under the radar' of the larger producers in the low cost countries.
They are a member of the Irish Linen Guild
Irish Linen Guild
Founded in 1928, the Irish Linen Guild is a promotional organization of the Irish Linen industry. The Guild's main role is to promote Irish linen in national and international markets, through its website....
.
Since 1988 it has been part of the Franklins Group of companies. Since that time the Ferguson family has no longer been involved in the business.
Tours are run of the factory to allow visitors to see Irish linen
Irish linen
Irish linen is the brand name given to linen produced in Ireland. Linen is cloth woven from, or yarn spun from the flax fibre, which was grown in Ireland for many years before advanced agricultural methods and more suitable climate led to the concentration of quality flax cultivation in northern...
damask being woven.