Harris Bros.

The business of Messrs. Harris Bros. was commenced by Mr. Joseph L Harris in Higham Road, and removed to the present premises in 1909, when Mr. Frederick G Harris and Mr. John A Harris joined their brother in partnership.

The specialty of the firm is Semi-chrome Box Sides and High-grade Calf and Dull Sides. They produce exceptionally good leather, and have a factory replete with all the latest and best appliances for leather manufacture.

All the partners are extremely practical and thoroughly understand their business. Personal supervision is one of the secrets of their success, and each department is controlled by one of the partners. Mr. Joseph does all the buying and sorting, Mr. Frederick attends to the selling, and Mr. John gives his attention to the clerical and financial side of the business, and handles all the finished goods.

Before the war a very large trade was done in civilian leathers, but since war broke out over 90 per cent. of the firm’s output has been devoted to producing leather for Army purposes.

In 1914 F D Brazier wrote a quote for William Hector to build him a 4-wheel trolley 'similar in size & shape to the one I built for Mes. Harris Bros, Rushden.'

Rushden Echo, 13th April 1928, transcribed by Kay Collins Messrs. Harris Bros. (Rushden) Ltd., have purchased the goodwill, premises, and plant of the Rushden Chrome Tanning Co. Ltd., Kimbolton-road. It is the intention of Messrs. Harris Bros. to transfer their own registered office and business as curriers and leather merchants from George-street, Rushden, on April 16th, to the new address, where they propose to add to their present production the manufacture of all kinds of full chrome leathers as recently produced by the tannery. The new premises are such as will facilitate the handling of very considerably increased trade.

A fire in the 1960s.

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