From the bread on our breakfast tables to the trucks on Britain's roads, Lancashire's manufacturing heritage can be found in almost every corner of everyday life.
The county has produced pioneering businesses, household names and internationally recognised products. Some have remained in the hands of the families who founded them, while others have become part of multinational companies. And although the factories, owners and products may have changed over the decades, their Lancashire connections remain an important part of their histories.
In Part 1 of our celebration of famous Lancashire brands, we explored the stories behind some of the county's best-loved food and drink names. Here, we broaden our horizons to include engineering, sportswear, paints and household products, alongside more familiar names from the food industry, and discover how Lancashire businesses have made their mark around the world.
10. Silentnight
There was lots of fun to be had on a Silentnight bed as this vintage (and undated) advertising picture shows. Silentnight was founded in 1946 by Tom Clarke, who used money received following his demobilisation from the Royal Navy to establish a mattress manufacturing business in Skipton. Originally known as Clarke’s Mattresses, the business adopted the Silentnight name in 1951, reportedly following a suggestion from Clarke’s wife, Joan. It subsequently expanded into one of Britain’s major bed and mattress manufacturers. The company developed a strong manufacturing presence in Barnoldswick, where its headquarters and production facilities remain. Its best-known advertising campaign featured the distinctive Hippo and Duck characters, introduced during the 1980s. The company produces mattresses, divan bases and other bedroom furniture, with Silentnight remaining one of the most familiar names in the British bedding industry. | Other 3rd Party
11. Silentnight
An undated photo of Silentnight staff, taken in the 1960s/early 1970s? | Other 3rd Party
