| Spence Bryson | |
| Industry: | Textiles |
| Founders: | John Bell Bryson and Thomas Henry Spence |
| Location City: | Portadown |
| Location Country: | Northern Ireland |
Spence Bryson is a Northern Irish textile company which manufactures and distributes linen and linen products.
Spence Bryson was founded as Spence, Bryson & Co. Ltd in 1885 by John Bell Bryson and Thomas Henry Spence in Portadown, County Armagh.[1] John Bell Bryson (c.1859-1923) was born in County Down,[2] and apprenticed in the linen trade to Robert Glass of Portadown, while Thomas Henry Spence (c.1854-1937) was born in County Armagh,[3] and was apprenticed to Hamilton Robb in Portadown.[4]
By the 1950s, Spence Bryson was the largest of the 11 weaving companies based in the Portadown area and was based on Meadow Lane.[5] The company was bought by Ulster Weavers Ltd in 1990.[6]
The company is known for its manufacture of a range of linen fabrics, from light linen to suit fabric, and for its self-sufficiency, sourcing local wood for their looms and locally cast iron. In the 20th century, the sales division was organised into 3 sections: embroidery cloth, handkerchiefs, and suiting. In the 1950s, Spence Bryson worked with fashion designer Sybil Connolly to develop her signature pleated linen from handkerchief linen.[7]