Records of Mirrlees Watson Co Ltd, sugar machinery manufacturers, Glasgow, Scotland

Reference
- GB 248 UGD 062; GB 248 UGD 202
Dates of Creation
- 1849-1966
Name of Creator
- Smith Mirrlees (sugar machinery manufacturers: c1967-c1988: Glasgow, Scotland)
Physical Description
- 7.7 metres
  There are no physical characteristics that affect the use of this material

Scope and Content

Plans 1849-1876
Miscellaneous volumes 1892-1966
Invoice books 1900-1902
Letterbooks 1903-1936
Order book 1916
Quotation books 1919-1921
Incoming letter files 1926-1936
Quantities book 1933-1934

Administrative / Biographical History

Smith Mirrlees has its origins in the partnership of P & W McOnie , which was founded in 1840 to manufacture sugar machinery. In 1848 William McOnie retired from the firm and James Buchanan Mirrlees entered into partnership with Peter McOnie to form McOnie & Mirrlees . In 1850 Peter McOnie died and J B Mirrlees continued the business with William Tait (died 1870 ). In 1851 the firm consequently became known as Mirrlees & Tait and then in 1868 it became Mirrlees, Tait & Watson following the arrival on of a new partner, William Renny Watson (died 1900 ). In 1882 two further partners were taken on, R A Robertson and J G Hudson and the company became known as Mirrlees, Watson & Co . This development was accompanied by the establishment of an associated company Watson, Laidlaw & Co. This firm was based at Dundas Street, Glasgow, Scotland, and was responsible for developing the firm's interest in centrifugal machines, following their purchase of David McColley Weston's patent. In Mirrlees, Watson & Co 1889 took over the Yaryan Co (with the exclusion of that company's business in USA, Canada and Cuba) and became a limited liability company, Mirrlees, Watson & Yaryan Co Ltd . The company later changed to using the title The Mirrlees Watson Co Ltd . In 1945 the company acquired Blairs Ltd , although the two continued to trade independently. In around A & W Smith & Co Ltd 1966 acquired the name and machinery rights of The Mirrlees Watson Co Ltd , later becoming known as Smith Mirrlees .

Arrangement

This material is arranged into eight series as described in the scope and content note. The plans are listed under the reference GB 248 UGD 0202 and all the rest of the material is listed under the reference GB 248 UGD 062

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Gift : Mirlees Watson Co Ltd, Glasgow : prior to 1966

Other Finding Aids

GB 248 UGD 062 file level list available in searchroom.

Manual file level list available at the National Register of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)1752) and London (NRA10851).

GB 248 UGD 202 file level database available in searchroom.

Alternative Form Available

No known copies

Conditions Governing Use

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the University Archivist

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use & condition of documents

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with normal procedures

Custodial History

Records deposited with Economic History Department, Glasgow University, prior to 1966. Management of the collection transferred to Glasgow University Archives in 1975.