Journey

Company established 1863 by John Horsfall and James Clay in Luddenden Foot, Halifax.

Bought West Vale Mill and became John Horsfall & Sons Ltd.

First nonstop transatlantic aeroplane flight (John Alcock and Arthur Whitten-Brown).

War work – workers given special dispensation to work in the mill. Good quality blankets were essential to the war effort. John Horsfall also made ‘Fearnaught’ – heavy wool cloth that was fire proof and used to line ammunition boxes.

Concorde makes Maiden Flight

First Queens Award for Export 1993. Further awards were won in 1998 and 1999.

Peter Horsfall Benson became the current Managing Director (5th generation of the Horsfall family).

Beginning of offshore production in India and China, enabling the company to diversify to a larger range of products including duvets, pillow and table linens.

Airbus A380 Super Jumbo’s first passenger flight.

Airbus’ A320neo aircraft was the first of the more fuel efficient ‘neo family’ to be introduced to service by an airline.

WHO declared the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus a ‘pandemic’, this would lead to global travel restrictions and the effective shut-down of the global aviation industry for over 18 months.

John Horsfall acquired Orvec, allowing the company to further diversify the product range.

First flight in history with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel in both engines on a commercial aircraft.

John Horsfall’s 160th year anniversary since the company was established.