Sub-fonds MS 86/1 - Samnuggur Jute Factory Co Ltd

This Calcutta-based company was floated in 1873 by Thomas Duff (previously manager of the Borneo Co) in conjunction with the brothers Alexander and James Nicoll and Joseph Johnston Barrie. Managed by William Smith (previously of Cox Brothers, Lochee) working for the agents, Messrs Schoene Kilburn & Co, the Samnuggur Jute Factory Co was particularly successful at a time (c.1875) when other Calcutta mills languished or failed, and proved the ability of the Calcutta mills to compete with Dundee for the American and Australian markets. In 1883 the firm of Thomas Duff was incorporated as a limited company and took over the agency. An additional mill was built in 1901 on the opposite (north) bank of the River Hooghly at Bhaddressar. In 1972 a workshop was set up at Samnuggur [North] to produce components for mill machinery in the 'Duff' group. Samnuggur Jute Factory Co Ltd merged with Victoria Jute Factory Co Ltd and Titaghur Jute Factory Co Ltd in 1969, with the latter as the parent company and the Angus Company Ltd as a subsidiary of the group. In 1976 changes to the articles of association were adopted, reorganising the capital of the Company and transferring its residence to India, effectively passing management and control of the Company from Dundee to Calcutta.