DESIGN AND NET MANUFACTURE SINCE 1788
In 1778, Robert Knox, the son of a farmer, set up a small unit for bleaching linen fabrics. Robert decided to become a flax spinner, using the local crop and water power from the River Garnock. Soon he was manufacturing sewing thread for the tailoring trade and flax twine for hand-made fish netting. His two sons, William and James, built a five storied building to house flax machinery in 1840 and the business expanded rapidly from there on.
Around 1900 semi-automatic machines became available for the manufacture of fishing nets. They were assisted by workers operating wooden pedals, to produce single knotted herring drift nets.
His two sons, William and James, built a five storied building to house flax machinery in 1840 and the business expanded rapidly from there on.










