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About Made in North Lincs
Introduction
When thinking of manufacturing in North Lincolnshire, one of the first things that come to mind is the Steelworks in Scunthorpe. This certainly has had a massive impact onto the area throughout its existence. But besides steel, what else is Made In North Lincolnshire?
Many rural industries have been built in the area. Many villages used to have their own wheelwrights or undertaker. There were tile and brick makers along the river banks. Blacksmiths were found in many places too. If you want to find out more about these rural industries, please visit the Rural Life Museum at Normanby Hall Country Park.
This exhibition looks at a wide variety of industries. Some of these were and some still are active in the North Lincolnshire area. But look around outside too, as this is only a small selection of all the products that are Made in North Lincolnshire!
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Cotto Products
The Cotto company was a manufacturer of white goods, such as washing machines and dryers. It was founded in the early 1920s by Rufus Frank Cottingham (c1899 – 1971), who used a war gratuity of £20 to do so.
Cottingham started off mending tins and pans in a shed. In 1922 R. F. Cottingham & Co was listed in the directory as a sheet metal workers on 12 Market Hill in Scunthorpe. In 1926 Cottingham also owned an ironmongers on Frodingham Road.
The Cotto factory was set up at Digby Street, Scunthorpe. The company’s motto was “Cotto’s Does The Nation’s Washing”.
In 1936 Cotto Products was the largest sheet metal works in the county, employing nearly 300 people. The factory specialised in Cotto Washers and could produce five machines a day.
Besides white goods, Cotto also made ice cream containers, toffee cutters and wrapping machines. During World War Two the company started to make a device that allowed house holders to remove bombs. Its name was the Bomb Gobbler. In 1946, Cottingham patented an invention for a golf practicing and teaching apparatus.
The company stopped producing goods in 1986.
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Creative Arts
Not industrial but still an industry, the creative arts. North Lincolnshire’s artists have produced novels, poetry and art for centuries. The creative arts trade easily extends out of the county, across the country and even further afield.
One of the oldest successful artists from our area is William Fowler. Next to his career as an architect he sold his prints throughout the country. He was often commissioned to do work for wealthy art enthusiasts.
There are many artists residing in North Lincolnshire today. A great example of an artist who has made a living out of her art is Hannah Wrendale. Hannah started her business of Wrendale Designs from her kitchen table in Melton Ross. Inspired by the Lincolnshire countryside, Hannah started painting hares. Soon she branched out to other animals, like foxes, pheasants, geese, dogs and hens. Hannah’s beautiful designs are used on mugs, pillows, stationery and many other items.
The written word is also well represented in North Lincolnshire. Examples of authors and poets from past and present are:
* James Hornsby “the Crosby Poet”, 1833 – 1915, local issues
* Edith Spilman Dudley, 1885 – 1969, Lincolnshire poetry and folklore
* Ted Lewis, 1940 – 1982, crime fiction
* Margaret Bailey, current, fantasy and non-fiction
* Lynda Page, current, fiction
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Decades of Cycling
One of North Lincolnshire’s best known manufacturing companies was Elswick-Hopper Cycle and Motor Company Limited of Barton upon Humber. The company began in 1880, when Fred Hopper started a whitesmith’s business on Brigg Road. In 1890, after the invention of the safety bicycle, Hopper decided to start making his own design of this new form of transport. The success of his models enabled him to expand his business. In 1910 Hopper’s acquired the bankrupt Elswick Cycle Company of Newcastle and by 1912 the company employed around 800 workers.
Elswick-Hopper took over Falcon Cycles in 1977 and in 1984 the company relocated to Brigg. The 111-year long Elswick-Hopper connection with the bicycle industry finally ended when the Casket Group took over Falcon Cycles in 1991.
Today, we find only a few bicycle manufacturers in North Lincolnshire. One of these is Paragon Cycles, begun by Dave Heath-Drury in 2015. In their Scunthorpe-based factory, customers can have their bicycles custom-made from the frame to the paintwork.
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