The firm of Rose Brothers
has had a profound influence on businesses throughout the world,
as it is from this firm that the packaging of modern commodities
started.
William Rose (1857 - 1929)
was a tobacconist by trade. After experimenting with methods
for wrapping tobacco, and inventing the first tobacco-wrapping
machine, he realised that the principle of packaging goods would
have great benefits when applied to many other products. Although
William Rose had little money, his early inventions were sponsored
by wealthy patrons.
In 1898 the firm expanded
into motor engineering, producing six different models. These
took part in trial events. The price of the most expensive model
was £625 (in the days when farm workers earned 16 shillings
- approximately 80 pence - per week).
On the death of its founder
in 1929, responsibility for the firm was inherited by his son,
Alfred Rose. Between the two world wars the firm maintained
its leading position in the packaging industry, with numerous
improvements in both machinery and materials.
During the Second World
War (1939 - 1945) all departments of the company were involved
exclusively in work for the Admiralty, Air Ministry and Ministry
of Supply. Significant developments in gun mountings and other
weaponry were attributable directly to Rose Brothers.
The National Folding Box
Co., Ltd. was the result of an invention by Rose Brothers and
produced plain, printed and unprinted cartons automatically
at a high rate of speed. The success and expansion of this business
led to it being moved to separate premises in North Warren Road,
Gainsborough. This company also developed punched and printed
wrappers for use in the various High Speed "Rose"
Wrapping Machines.