Record

Entry Type	Corporate
Corporate Name	Stevensons Amber Dye Works
Place	Bullbridge, Ambergate
History	As James Francis Stevenson (1871-1957) grew up he helped in his father's dyeing and bleaching business, learning the processes and gradually acquiring the knowledge to run and maintain a factory. He later acquired premises on the High Street in Belper, and in 1893 F Stevenson & Company came into being. The Bullbridge site at Ambergate was acquired in 1910 and dyeing and bleaching commenced. Mr. F M Stevenson, son of James Francis Stevenson, joined his father in 1926, by which time the privately owned company of Stevensons (Dyers) Ltd. was formed, and the dyeing of silk stockings commenced. During the war years, Stevensons directed their energies to the dyeing and rot proofing of camouflage netting and quality control of rubberized fabrics. It was during this period the shrink resist process known world wide as DYLAN was perfected on wollen Army socks. In the late 1940s, Stevensons returned to peacetime needs and with the introduction of the new synthetic fibre, nylon, the future looked assured. The company remained in the family ownership until 1966, when the company was acquired by Coats Viyella. In 1970, the company employed more than 1,400 people, with millions of garments passing through its factory. It was at this time the country's biggest dyeing company. In 2000, the company merged with Quantum Clothing Group, with the hopes of keeping the business going. However, with increasing competition abroad, it finally closed in 2006.
Authorised Form of Name	Bullbridge, Ambergate; Stevensons Amber Dye Works

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