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| The family business of Emanuel Whittaker was founded in 1837,
although there have been Whittakers in Oldham since at least 1690. The founder Emanuel Whittaker (right) was born
in 1815, started bricksetting at 11, became a joiners apprentice at 15 and a master builder by the age of 30. His
father, George, was also a master builder, having built the Oldham Lyceum as well as many of the cotton mills in
Oldham and surrounding districts. |
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The original business was much the same as today - focusing
on joinery and general contracting. Emanuel Whittaker first used the sawmills in Liverpool for timber cutting,
but in 1849 became the first person in Oldham to have steam power driven sawing and woodworking machinery, showing
a determination to embrace new technology which has continued in the firm down the years.
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firm of Emanuel Whittaker managed to survive
the hard times - the cotton famine of the 1860s,
the 1930s recession, timber rationing in the
Second World War. It found opportunity in substantial
mill construction in 1870s and in post war building
and expansion. Good planning enabled them to
convert even apparent disasters into a benefit;
following a serious fire in 1929, Frank, Emanuel’s
son redesigned and modernised the factory. |
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company moved with the times over the years, converting
from steam driven to electrical machinery and now
into computer controlled equipment and has expanded
into defined product areas such as staircases, windows
and doors complementing its contracting department. |
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A view of the joiner's shop in 1938
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| Despite the changes in technology, fashion and building methods
however, Emanuel Whittaker continues to nuture traditional, time-served craftsmen, whilst maintaining its long
standing policy of training apprentices in all facets of the business. |
| Emanuel Whittaker Ltd has remained in family hands throughout
its 160 years in existence with Thomas Whittaker, the founders great grandson, as Chairman today. |
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Emanuel
Whittaker Ltd, Manufacturing Joiners and Contractors since 1837
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