1750s – 1770s
The early years
The origins of Coats can be traced to the Clark and Coats families that created the weaving and textile industries of Paisley, Scotland during the late 18th century.
Coats
Our Timeline
1812
Patrick Clark’s pioneering discovery is placed on the market
Clark's 3-ply sewing thread, using twisted cotton yarns as a cheaper, more readily available alternative to silk, is first placed on the market.
1820s
James Coats establishes the first Ferguslie mill in Paisley
During this period, and with the advent of the industrial revolution, the Coats and Clark firms were at the forefront of the mechanization of the textile industries in Scotland.
1840s
Starting to build a global footprint
Both the Clark and Coats firms are prospering, selling high quality sewing cotton around the world. They begin sending members of their families to America to act as selling agents.
1890s
First listing on the London Stock Exchange
In 1890, Coats’ initial share offering takes place on London Stock Exchange. In 1896, the Coats and Clark firms merge to form J&P Coats Ltd, with a market value of around £22 million, over 50,000 employees worldwide, and approximately 25,000 shareholders.
1912
One of the largest listed companies in the world
By now J&P Coats is growing into one of the world's largest company’s – at one point it was ranked by market capitalization ($300.8 million) after US Steel and Standard Oil.
1900s – 1980s
A growing, global presence
Coats' global presence and product range continue to grow throughout the 20th century as the company leveraged its roots as one of the first multinational companies to further strengthen its global network of commercial relationships and local knowledge.
1980s – 1990s
A challenging period for the textile industry
The final decades of the twentieth century saw a decline in manufacturing, and Coats had to adapt to new conditions to survive. In 1986, a merger with Vantona Viyella creates Coats Viyella. In the 1990s, Coats Viyella acquires Tootal Thread, a major global thread company, Rowan yarns, an upscale knitting yarn brand, and Barbour Thread, a leading specialty thread manufacturer.
2003
A change in ownership
At the turn of a new century, Coats is acquired by Guinness Peat Group and delisted from the London Stock Exchange. A period of reorganization and move of the manufacturing base from West to East begins.
2010
A refocus on growth
Paul Forman appointed Chief Executive to put in place a new strategy that is orientated around growth and developing new products and services.
2012
New opportunities, long heritage
Digital products such as Coats Color Express, the world’s fastest color sampling service, launched, and new, growing markets such as fiber optics entered. Coats & Clark marked its 200th anniversary in the US.
2015
A return to the London stock market
Coats returns to the market as 'Coats Group plc', 125 years after its first listing on the London Stock Exchange. The first acquisition is made on services firm GSD.
2016
Acquisitions and new product launches
As part of its growth strategy, the company acquires software solutions company Fast React Systems and high-performance materials manufacturers Gotex. Coats continues to develop products to solve customer problems. One example is Synergex, a carbon composite product range with applications for automotive and aerospace industries.
2017
Moving from an industrial to a digital age
Rajiv Sharma is appointed as new Chief Executive. Rajiv Sharma and Coats enter the FTSE 250 index of UK companies with a market capitalization of +£1bn Acquisitions continue with deal for Patrick Yarn Mill, a manufacturer of high-performance engineered yarns from renewable energy based in North Carolina, US.