Wm. Fergusson & Sons Weaving Manufacturers was inaugurated in 1818 in the Hilltown district of Dundee but it was not until 1839 that the buildings were erected on the present site. On 30 May 1892 the premises were destroyed by fire and the new Dudhope Works, designed by J. Murray Robertson, came into operation in May 1893. The company was acquired by Low & Bonar Ltd in 1912 and became a Limited Liability Company in that year. Wm. Fergusson and Sons traded under their own name until 1971/2.