Robert Scott celebrates 100th anniversary

What began as a small Oldham-based business has grown into an industry leader, still at the forefront of cleaning innovation.

Founded in Oldham in 1924, Robert Scott’s origins are deeply tied to the region’s once-thriving cotton industry. The company was built on innovation from the very beginning, with its founder, Robert Scott, bringing his expertise as a trained lift engineer to the family business established by his father, James Scott.

“My great-grandfather’s engineering background gave him a real edge,” says sales director Alastair Scott, a fourth-generation member of the Scott family. “He developed the first custom-made knitting and weaving machines of their kind, giving the company an early competitive advantage in terms of speed, quality, and cost.”

The business quickly identified a need within Oldham’s bustling mills, where oil, dirt, and grime coated the machinery. Scott saw an opportunity and began producing wipers specifically for cleaning these industrial machines - a move that set the foundation for the company’s future in cleaning solutions.

Sustainability at its core

Long before sustainability became a major industry focus, Robert Scott was already reusing materials. The company found an innovative way to repurpose yarn off-cuts and end-of-run fabric from the mills - waste that would otherwise be discarded - by tying the strands together to create mops.

That early commitment to waste reduction has evolved into an extensive sustainability strategy. “Sustainability has always been part of our DNA,” says Scott. “Today, we’ve moved many of our core product lines to over 70% recycled content, saving more than 300 tonnes of virgin plastic every year. On top of that, redesigning our socket mops has helped cut another 150 tonnes of plastic annually.”

The company is also working towards an ambitious long-term goal: carbon neutrality by 2045. In the past four years alone, Robert Scott has reduced its carbon emissions by 21%, reinforcing its dedication to environmental responsibility.

Pivotal moments

Over the past 100 years, Robert Scott has played a key role in some unexpected industries. The company once produced the steam cloths used by every British Rail train driver to clean their steam and diesel engines. It also played a part in the fashion industry, crossing ball yarn for major brands that wove denim for jeans and jackets.

One of the most transformative moments in the company’s history came in the 1960s, when it secured a contract to supply dishcloths and yellow dusters to Jack Cohen, the founder of Tesco.

“At the time, we only had two machines,” Scott recalls. “Fulfilling that order meant expanding to new premises - Oak View Mills, where we’re still based today. Before that, we operated out of places like a converted chicken shed and a former coffin maker’s workshop.”

Strategic acquisitions have also fueled the company’s expansion. In 2000, Robert Scott acquired Harold Watson of Heywood, doubling its mop production overnight and gaining the Millers Brook Mill site - known locally as the ‘Mop Shop.’ Later acquisitions, such as Contico in 2012 and P-Wave in 2023, further strengthened its market position.

As one of the largest employers in the area, Robert Scott has remained deeply connected to its local community. For 50 years, a company-run bus would collect staff from surrounding villages, bringing them to work at Oak View Mill and returning them home at the end of the day.

That commitment to the local community remains strong. “We recently built a school for autistic children and continue to support local sports clubs and events,” says Scott. “Our people are at the heart of this company. Out of just over 200 employees, 46 have been with us for more than 25 years, and 18 for over 40 years. That loyalty says a lot about who we are.”

Looking to the future

As the cleaning industry continues to evolve, Robert Scott remains at the cutting edge, adapting to changing consumer expectations and advances in technology.

“The pandemic has reshaped commercial cleaning, and sustainability is more important than ever,” says Scott. “We’ve introduced new product lines, including Toucan Eco, a chemical-free cleaning system, and we’re expanding into robotic cleaning solutions.”

With a century of innovation behind it and a clear vision for the future, Robert Scott remains committed to driving the industry forward. “We’ve spent the past 100 years evolving, and we’re not stopping now,” says Scott. “Our goal is to keep innovating and adapting to meet the needs of the next generation of the cleaning industry.”