| Description | Joseph Mason (1762-1826) was the eldest of five children born to William and Lydia Mason in the parish of St. Peter's, Derby. He appears to have attended school as he wrote in a strong copper plate style, at a time when many were still illiterate. Joseph married Isabella Masefield at St. peter's church on 25 September 1787. His occupation was given as 'gardiner', a term indicating self-employment status. They had four sons; William in 1788, Robert (1789), both baptised in St. Peter's; John (1791), and Joseph (1793), both baptised in All Saints, Derby. All the sons became varnish makers and may have been apprenticed to a relative as was customary.
The company was established in 1800 and began by painting royal carriages. It originally traded from 3, Derwent Street. In 1827 the trade directory lists Joseph Mason & Co., Derwent Street as varnish and colour manufacturers. There was also a premises on Burton Road, listed in 1831. These premise comprised of varnish works, a house called Copal Cottage, a warehouse, an orchard and a garden. A chimney was built at the varnish works on Burton Road to take away the smoke and fumes from the works. As it failed to do so it was known as 'Mason's Folly'. The tower was designed in a Moorish style by George Thompson, architect and civil engineer in 1869. Joseph Masons became a limited company in February 1888. The firm began work at a site close to the bridge in Derwent Street. This building was vacated in 1902, then demolished in 1909. The company moved to Nottingham Road, Derby in 1900. The site housed the manufacturing works, the main warehouse, the research laboratories and the main offices.
Since its foundation, Joseph Mason's main activity was the manufacture of specialised paints and finishes for vehicles. By the 1970s, approximately three-quarters of the company's sales were to owners and manufacturers of commercial transport vehicles, the remaining sales were for industrial plant and machinery and decorative uses. Joseph Mason's own products were marketed under their registered names of 'Masopar', 'Masotex', 'Masolac', and 'Jolex'. There were a total of over 11,000 customer accounts. The major customers included British Airways, Rolls-Royce Cars, and Allied Breweries. However, none of these contracts accounted for more than two and a half percent of turnover.
In 1871, the Mason family had run out of male heirs and the company was put up for sale. Henry Edward Ayre, who wished to marry a Miss Sissons of Hull, was advised to invest in the business by his future father-in-law. Through three generations the Ayre family developed the business from its small beginnings into a progressive company renowned for the quality of its vehicle and decorative finishes. The company also offered a complete service by providing all other allied factored merchandise, i.e. brushes, spray, equipment, etc.. Through the years steady development took place, meeting the increasing demand for a wide range of paints. The Ayre family continued to run Joseph Mason & Co. Ltd. until they were bought by Warren P{lantations in 1979. The company was bought by McLeod Russel Holdings in 1982.
The company's growth, as early as 1900, required the acquisition of premises in Derby. Depots, acting as distribution centres were acquired in London, Preston, Wakefield and Kirkcaldy. There were three main subsiduary companies:
1) Joseph Mason Paints (Scotland) Ltd.. This was 100% owned and acted as the group's Scottish outlet.
2) Associated Paint Manufacturers Ltd.. The company acted as the export outlet to all countries of the world except those forming part of the EEC. Associated Paint Manufacturers Ltd. was established in Apr 1948. It was based at 11a Albermarle Street, London W1. It later became known as ASOPAN Ltd.
3) Isaac Mason & Son (Derby) Ltd.. This company acted as the retail outlet for paints and wallpaper. It was formed in Jan 1944, and was situated at 31 Sadler Gate, Derby. The first secretary was Eric Wilshire, having held the same position at Joseph Mason & Co. Ltd. The company ceased trading in January 1978.
These records were deposited with Derbyshire Record Office in November 2001. |
| Administrative History | The company began by painting royal carriages.
The Eyre brothers were connected to Joseph Mason's from the 1870s.
Joseph Masons became a limited company c.1894. (see minute books)
Joseph Mason & Co. Ltd. were bought out by Warren Plantation Holdings Ltd. in 1978. This company was in turn absorbed by McLeod Russel Holdings PLC in 1996.
These records were deposited in November 2001. |
| Custodial History | Acquired by Derbyshire Record Office in 2001 |