Company History

The earliest textile workers were probably making cloth for themselves only, but the founding of the Almondbury Market in 1294 suggests that a regular cloth trade was beginning.

Between the two hundred years from 1500 - 1700 the West Riding cloth trade grew and flourished but was still domestic and undertaken along with farming responsibilities. The clothier owned his own loom, and wove in his own home, whether his holding of land was large or small.

In the 17th century tradition had it that the clothiers were first permitted to sell their wares on the churchyard wall in Huddersfield Parish churchyard and nowhere else. However, as trade increased and more manufacturers used this facility, the very tombstones began to serve as shop counters giving rise to local indignation and protest which probably led to the Cloth Hall being built, circa 1766 in order to put a stop to this practice.

Machinery came and the world of weaving and cloth making in Huddersfield was turned upside down. The new methods of cloth manufacture accelerated the making process and the character of the manufacturer´s home changed somewhat. As progress continued and the process became more streamlined all the components of cloth manufacture were gathered under one roof, in a factory that we would recognise today, except for the fact that all the machinery was powered by steam.

In the early 19th century the West Riding obtained almost a monopoly of woollen and worsted manufacture which eventually led to Huddersfield and surrounding districts becoming world famous for producing some of the finest wool and worsted fabrics in the world.

Waltex Clothing & Textiles Limited lies in the heart of this ´cloth country´, benefiting from the variety and convenience of purchasing from local suppliers and finishers. Whatever the composition or shade, our sourcing department ensures only the finest quality to manufacture our West Riding products. Waltex Clothing & Textiles Limited as a company has roots dating back almost fifty years, and in that time the experience and knowledge gained has been paramount in our continuing success.