John Holdsworth began his business as a cloth manufacturer at Waterside Mill, or Bottoms Mill, Salterhebble in 1822.
Two of his brothers, George and Henry took charge of the firm's London operations.
By 1830, he had moved to Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax, the site of the present complex of mills. John was joined by his four sons – William, George, Tom and John – and it was during their management of the firm in the 1850s that most of the buildings, which are still in use, were erected. The main weaving shed which is 240 yards long, bears the date 1852 and was constructed from stone excavated from the railway cutting which runs alongside the works.
At the Great Exhibition of 1851, they exhibited many of their products.
The brothers became the principal benefactors of the new parish of All Saints' Church, Salterhebble; the firm subscribed to the church and are still involved in the church's activities. In the mid-1860s the Holdsworth brothers erected new offices, a good example of Victorian architecture by Sir Charles Barry.
On 23rd December 1871, a Public Notice signed THE MECHANICS appeared in the local press
| WE, the MECHANICS, employed by Messrs JOHN HOLDSWORTH & Co, beg to tender our sincere thanks to our employers for the liberal manner in which they have met us with regard to the agitation in the Iron trade, and hope, by strict attention to business, to merit in future their favour as theretofore |
The 1871 census records that the company employed around 3,000 people.
In 1885, Clement Holdsworth took over the business.
During World War II, the company produced cotton canvas and webbing for military use, blackout material and camouflage, and linings for flying suits.
Adjusting to the general state of the British wool and worsted industry, the company has carved out a niche for itself world-wide, and was the market leader in supplying upholstery fabric for the bus and coach trade.
The company was still owned and managed by the sixth generation of the Holdsworth family.
In July 2005, the John Holdsworth business and property was sold to Hanson Partners.
In October 2007, the company was bought by the Camira Group of Mirfield. Production continued at Shaw Lodge Mills as Hebble Valley Spinners. It was intended that Shaw Lodge Mills would be redeveloped and production would be moved to another site in Calderdale and eventually to Asia.
In November 2007, the Evening Courier announced that the business may close in early 2008 – with the loss of 160 jobs – unless costs were reduced and production was increased.
In February 2008, the Evening Courier announced that the firm would close with the loss of 146 jobs
See Holdsworth's School, Halifax and Truck Act [1831]
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