SOUND ARCHIVE

Title: Living Linen Interview LL2_R01/20
Object Name: Sound Recording : Magnetic Tape, Reel
Maker: Mills, Jim (Mr) (Primary maker)
Mills, Jim (Mr) (interviewee)
Date Made: 13/03/2001
13/03/2001
Description: Sound Recording on Reel: RSD, Old Bleach, McCaw Allan, Hillside Textiles. Library Transcript: Transcript. Summary: Mr Mills joined Richardson Sons & Owden (RSO) in 1947 as a general office boy. Mr Mill’s training was largely confined to the warehouse in Murray St. RSO was an old and well-established company with an enviable position m the market place. They specialised in linen damask and suitings. Mr Mills became involved in the sales end of the business. RSO's sales dept was divided into an Australian, an American, a S American and a Home office. Mr Mills was only involved with the Home market and household textiles. Mr Mills travelled throughout the UK for RSO. The firm had a London office and a number of representatives (as opposed to agents) based in England. RSO dealt with large retail stores such as Harrods, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis and Selfridges. RSO's linens bore the trade-name `Richlin' and their cotton goods, `Richsheen'. Cheap Czechoslovakian linen began to flood the market. Whilst very cheap and of reasonable quality it was let down by design. As RSO were dealing with the top end of the market where Irish linen was still sought after they were afforded some protection from overseas competition. They suffered more from merchant converters who imported Czech linen and finished it locally. In the early 1960s the closure of the S American market necessitated a major re-adjustment within RSO. This market was never really replaced. The firm diversified and put considerable effort into design, advertising and exhibiting. RSO made linen jackets and produced place mats in response to the changing dining habits of the people. After the spinning and weaving closed down, RSO sourced cloth from Blacker's mill. Mr Mills left in 1969 to join Old Bleach of Randalstown as Sales Manager. Sir Graham Larmor, Chairman at the time, ran things from a distance. In 6 years Mr Mills only saw Sir Graham in Randalstown once. Old Bleach did not have a Belfast office and found it difficult to attract buyers who came to do the rounds of local manufacturers. Mr Mills was detailed to `kerb crawl' in Belfast, and take buyers to Randalstown. Old Bleach's major markets were the USA, the UK, Australia and Europe. Over the years the N American trade dwindled due to escalating price. Old Bleach's forte: marketing, advertising and exhibiting, was also curtailed due to spiralling expenses. They changed the status of their representatives to agents and phased out hand painting. The Old Bleach name was untouchable in the marketplace and they had no direct competitors. It was the hefty premium that their cloth carried that put the firm into financial difficulties. They reduced production costs by printing tablecloths - using their traditional designs. They used Clendennings and Lamonts' print works. In 1975 Old Bleach was bought by Carrington Viyella who asked Mr Mills to move to London. He declined and became an agent for McCaw Allen. McCaw Allen specialised in handkerchiefs. They bought cloth from Lamonts and Blacker's and made it up in Lurgan. Despite their size McCaw Allen had a London showroon and produced top quality goods. Mr Mills was responsible for Ireland where he found the gift and tourist trades to be of growing importance. In 1974 Mr Mills founded Hillside textiles. They sell a wide range of textile goods such as duvet covers, quilts and cushions to small retailers throughout the UK. The bulk of their produce is imported from China. The firm employs 10 people and has a number of UK agents. They do not do any retailing or mail order of their own.
Catalogue Number: HOYFM.R2001.55
Notes: National Museums NI

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