BRIDPORT-GUNDRY LTD OF BRIDPORT, ROPEMAKERS netmakers, etc.

Apart from the bundle of papers relating to Gundry and Kenway, bankers, the business papers catalogued here all relate to firms in the net, cordage, etc., industry, whose records have come into the collection through mergers. The deeds relate partly to business premises and partly to Gundry family estates. They are listed by counties and parishes and within Bridport by streets.

• <corpname>Joseph Gundry and Co Ltd, Bridport, Dorset, rope and net makers, 1665-1963</corpname>
• <corpname>Bridport-Gundry Ltd, Bridport, rope and net makers, 1963-</corpname>

The business of Joseph Gundry was established in 1665 and the greater part of the collection is concerned with this firm. There were, however, many other firms with similar products in Bridport. In 1858, for instance, there were 14 distinct firms manufacturing nets, cordage and canvas, and in 1900 there were 15, five firms having dropped out to be replaced by six new ones. Between 1910 and 1914 wm. Hounsell and Co. Ltd., Herbert E. Hounsell and Co. Ltd., Ewens and Turner and Richard Tucker and Sons were amalgamated into a new company, Hounsells (Bridport) Ltd. Between 1914 and 1920 Wm. Edwards and Son (later W. Edwards and Son (Bridport) Ltd.) absorbed Thomas Budden and Son and Albert Norman and Son. In 1939 Rendall and Coombs Ltd. amalgamated with Wm. James & Co. and in 1945 this firm joined forces with W. Edwards and Son (Bridport) Ltd. This combination in 1946 absorbed Wm. Gale and Sons. In 1947 Bridport Industries Ltd. was formed and acquired both the Edwards and Hounsell groups. Finally in 1963 the remaining independent firm, Joseph Gundry and Co. Ltd., united with Bridport Industries Ltd. to form Bridport-Gundry Ltd.