A brief introduction to two industrialists.

Samuel Greg

Samuel Greg built a large cotton mill in Styal, south of Manchester. His investment was around £16,000, a lot of money in the late 18th century. His factory was built on land rented from the Earl of Stamford and Warrington and was manned largely by children from the local workhouses. Greg's vision led to him becoming a very wealthy man.

Titus Salt

Titus Salt made his fortune in the Wool trade. He owned a number of mills in Bradford. Salt saw the possibilities of a different type of wool, Alpaca, and established a buying system that ensured that he was the only person able to produce Alpaca wool in this country. His gamble was a definite success and he used his wealth to build a massive new factory and village for his workers six miles outside of Bradford. His choice of location was ideal. The site had access to the River Aire, was next to the canal and later had access to the Railways. Salts mill was the largest in Europe at the time. Salt made a fortune from Alpaca wool, clothing made from which became the most desirable garments of the era.