JOHN RYLANDS

The Rylands family was the inhabitant of Lancashire and Cheshire. Joseph Rylands - the father of John was born near St. Helens, in the village of Parr[1]. The region became economically important for its linen production to Liverpool and Cheshire[2]. Joseph Rylands (the grandfather of John Rylands) was a handloom manufacturer and consequently, Joseph Rylands (father of John Rylands) became an individual manufacturer in 1787[3]. So, it becomes obvious, that the family was into the business field, a few generations before John Rylands. 

Elizabeth Pilkington’s nephew, Richard Pilkington established a glass manufacturing business at St. Helens in 1826[4]. Pilkington still operates today and is a leading supplier of glass, interestingly the head offices have now moved to Tokyo[5]. 

John Rylands learned to weave from his father and at the age of 16, obtained his own account and became a small manufacturer[6]. In addition, he worked at the draper’s shop his dad owned in St. Helens, where he proved himself as a great and very keen retail marketer[7].  John Rylands success within the industry, consequently in 1818[8] brought his other two brothers - Joseph and Richard to the business. They business expanded and they began selling their textiles to other drapers. Whilst Joseph was responsible for production, John began expansion of the business outside St. Helens. As a commercial salesman he went to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales[9].  The business was flourishing and as a result in 1819[10], his father decided to join the business along with his son therefore forming the association known as Rylands & Sons Ltd. The company was already benefiting from hand weaving linen and calico, further taking over North Wales[11]. 

In 1820, the older son - Joseph Rylands made a decision to leave St. Helens and moved to Wigan. The year after in 1821, John Rylands also left his motherland to Wigan, followed by his father in 1824[12].  

In a short time, the priority was wholesale trade rather than retail merchandising[13] and focusing on establishing the business instead of expanding through the travelling. For that reason, in 1823 Rylands & Sons purchased a warehouse on 11 New High Street in Manchester[14]. It was hard for John Rylands to rival the companies that were already established in Manchester, S.G. Green explains his struggles: “For a whole week there was no response; the young merchant remained alone from morning to night among his “pieces”. He was fearfully depressed.”[15]. But John Rylands did not give up, oppositely that motived him to succeed.   

Between 1822 - 1825, the thriving economy allowed the company to broaden up and from 1824 they provided dyers and bleaching services in Wigan. What is more, the company purchased two substantial estates in Douglas valley followed by the establishment of Wigan Linen Works in 1825, for spinning of linen thread in order to become independent from other trading companies for yard supply[16]. The companies attempted enlargement of firm operations, for example he allowed the customers to shop in his warehouses when all the other businesses were not available. D. A. Farnie explains: "In Manchester John Rylands defied local tradition by keeping his warehouse open to buyers during the midday 'dinner - hour' when other houses closed their doors"[17]. It becomes obvious, that John Rylands was very keen on securing his occupation in Manchester, further increasing the company's capital. 

The demand for Rylands & Sons products increased from 1829, the firm expanded not only in the North, but also started trading with Scotland and Ireland[18]. Such expansion therefore brought even more capital to the firm. In addition, during the 1830's the linen became opulent material whereas cotton remained most profitable within the industry. Yet such changes had an impact on Rylands & Sons appearance in the Manchester directories. In 1832 the firm was listed as "Linen and cotton spinner and manufacturers" and that being the case in 1836 re - named "Cotton and linen spinners and manufacturers"[19].

With the establishment of The North Union Railway that connected Preston with Liverpool to Manchester, therefore turning Wigan into a prime railway link, having an impact through increasing the value of properties within[20].

Rylands & Sons used an opportunity and from 1839 became "colliery - masters" in addition to cotton spinners[21] inevitably expanding their enterprise.

Purchase of Ainsworth Mills, in 1839[22] enabled the company to expand the household production on power - looms for Ireland's commerce. Not only was the firm trying to enlarge the business, but also Rylands & Sons invested capital into development of the village by building the chapel, schools and libraries[23]. 

It appears that family business slackened after the death of their mother - Elizabeth Rylands, which in way became a reason for John's settlement in Manchester in 1834[24]. The rivalry for trading success between the brothers had made John Rylands become more independent in the business sphere[25]. In addition, the eldest brother Joseph began the partnership the Hull Flax and Cotton Mill Company[26], which lead to his withdrawal from the company in 1839[27], moreover, Richard retired from the company shortly after[28].

The company was invalidated when his father agreed to end the partnership in 1842[29]. John Rylands kept the original name of the partnership and in 1843[30] became the main director, and was fully responsible for the expansion of the commerce.