Crompton & Knowles Loom Works stock certificate 1945 (Massachusetts)

MA machinery manufacturer. Amazing image of the company's equipment - industrial loom for weaving fabrics. Issued and cancelled. Dated 1945. Typical condition of cancellation stamp through the vignette as shown. Approximately 11 x 7.5 inches. 

The Crompton and Knowles Loom Works was formed in 1897 through the merger of two rival companies in Worcester, Massachusetts: Crompton Loom Works, founded by William Crompton in 1851, and L.J. Knowles and Brother Company, founded by Lucius J. Knowles in 1862. Crompton specialized in looms for cotton, while Knowles focused on looms for wool, and their combined expertise made them the world's leading loom manufacturer for many decades. The company eventually diversified and changed its name to Crompton & Knowles Corporation in 1956, and its loom works closed in 1981. 

Formation (1897):
The two companies, who had been competitors for decades, merged to form Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Specialization:
Crompton Loom Works began with a focus on looms for weaving cotton fabrics, while Knowles Loom Works concentrated on looms for wool. The merger allowed the new company to offer expertise in both types of weaving.

Global leadership:
The merged company became the world's largest loom manufacturer for a significant period.

Diversification and name change (1956):
As the company diversified beyond looms, it changed its name to Crompton & Knowles Corporation.

Loom works closure (1981):
The original loom manufacturing operations were shut down.

Later corporate history:
The company was eventually succeeded by Chemtura Corporation after a merger in 2005.

Chemtura Corporation was a global corporation headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, with its other principal executive office in Middlebury, Connecticut. Merged into Lanxess in 2017, the company focused on specialty chemicals for various industrial sectors, and these were transportation (including automotive), energy, and electronics.

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