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Our history

Our mission is to help make the world’s workplaces easier to clean - with better and better products that don’t cost the earth.

100 years

of serious cleaning know-how.

2019 - 2024

Introduces the next generation of Ai powered cleaning robots and smart Follow-me trolley.
Celebrates a century of dedication, innovation, and excellence in cleaning solutions. From humble beginnings in 1925 crafting machine rags, to shaping the future with cutting-edge robotics, this is more than a business story; it’s a legacy of progress and purpose.

2025
 
Launch the new plastic-free Ecofibre Compostable wipe, along with the Procycle recycling bin to reduce waste and increase regulations compliance.
Acquires the market-leading P-Wave brand strengthening our washroom range while extending P-Wave's distribution network.

2024

We launched the eco-friendly cleaning range made from recycled and natural fibres and replaced key lines with high recycled-content plastic as part of our 5-year plan to reduce carbon emissions by 25% and production waste by 20%.
We commit to being net zero neutral by 2045.

2022

Toucan Eco becomes the first hypochlorous disinfectant cleaner to receive double certification against viruses. Covid pandemic hit the UK and we increased stocks of vital cleaning products for frontline cleaning services.
 
In the same year, we won the Supplier of the Year 2020, and became ISO 14001 certified, showing our commitment to environmental matters and, from October, all of our electricity comes from zero carbon hydro, wind and solar sources.

2020

2011 - 2018

Mi-cloth finalist in the Tomorrow’s Cleaning and Tomorrow’s Care awards. All brands are consolidated under Robert Scott and the new B2B ecommerce website launched.

2018

Universal Towel Company (UTC) acquired to add catering and laundry linens to our range.

2015

To support the need for additional storage we acquired a new, purpose-built 70,000 sq.ft. warehouse facility, Crown in Rochdale.

2014

We’re named winners in Tomorrow’s Cleaning Product Awards for the Big White refill mop and the Stream microfibre flat mop.

2013

Contico, based in Cornwall, was acquired to further expand our range of cleaning products.

2012

The last available part of Heybottom Mill was developed, turning the original single storey building into a two-storey storage and packing department.

2011

2000 - 2010

Acorn Works was expanded by an additional 12,000 sq.ft. 8m high bay racking to further increase the storage capacity of palletised goods. 

2010


Although Brencliffe offices were closed, it didn’t stop the investment in the site as a 16,000 sq.ft. extension was built at Rochley.

2007


The Brencliffe business in Burnley was bought expanding our retail presence and adding automotive products to the business.

2005


Having reached warehouse capacity Broadbent Works was purchased, providing an extra 30,000 sq.ft. of space.

2004


Harold Watson of Heywood was acquired doubling mop production. Millers Brook Mill is locally known as the Mop Shop.

2000

1992 - 1999

A chance meeting with Compass at Interclean led us to develop what has become our current range of non-woven wipes. 

1999

Moved Kentucky and socket mop production out of Oak View Mills to a purpose-built facility at Heybottom Mill.

1998

Acquired Pioneer Manufacturing, introducing microfibre into the range.

1995

We invested in our first AKAB fully automated sewing machines to improve the quality, consistency and efficiency of dishcloth sewing.

1994

Our 10,000 sq.ft. 6m high bay warehouse opened at Heybottom Mill - the first in Saddleworth and our debut investment into high bay narrow aisle racking.

1993

We developed the first machine for producing webs and launched our Hygiene mop range.

1992

1971 - 1988

While we had previously supplied Booker with mops, dusters and dishcloths, in 1988 they also ordered a new, extensive range of products. Heybottom Mill was purchased to cope with this growth.

1988

Throughout the next ten years the current board all joined the company, including the next generation of family members, Alastair, Angus and Daniel, as well as Frank Murphy and Mark Smith. Sadly, Angus passed away in 2016.

1984

We started manufacturing floor, oven and sponge cloths, along with flat knitted dishcloths.

1972

The family business grew and moved to the much larger Oak View Mills in Greenfield. Today, this 19th century Lancashire mill remains Robert Scott's HQ.

1971

1925 - 1964

Using butchers knives and hammers we started making mops, a far cry from the automatic machines we use today. 

1964

The business started to supply yellow dusters to T.E.Cohen & Sons (then a market trader), more recently known as Tesco. We have supplied them ever since.

1963

Robert restarted the business as Robert Scott & Sons Ltd with his sons James and Peter in what had been a small farmhouse in Lydgate.

1960

A government scheme to reduce overcapacity in the textile industry was introduced and the mill was closed.

1959

His only son, Robert, joined the firm and gradually took over the running of the business.

1930

For the first time, James started manufacturing cleaning cloths for himself at Acorn Mill in Lee near Oldham.

1925

Our history

Our mission is to help make the world’s workplaces easier to clean - with better and better products that don’t cost the earth.

100 years

of serious cleaning know-how.

2019 - 2025

Introduces the next generation of Ai powered cleaning robots and smart Follow-me trolley.

Celebrates a century of dedication, innovation, and excellence in cleaning solutions. From humble beginnings in 1925 crafting machine rags, to shaping the future with cutting-edge robotics, this is more than a business story; it’s a legacy of progress and purpose.

2025
 
Launch the new plastic-free Ecofibre Compostable wipe, along with the Procycle recycling bin to reduce waste and increase regulations compliance.
Acquires the market-leading P-Wave brand strengthening our washroom range while extending P-Wave's distribution network.

2024


We launched the eco-friendly cleaning range made from recycled and natural fibres and replaced key lines with high recycled-content plastic as part of our 5-year plan to reduce carbon emissions by 25% and production waste by 20%.

We commit to being net zero neutral by 2045.

2022


Toucan Eco becomes the first hypochlorous disinfectant cleaner to receive double certification against viruses. Covid pandemic hit the UK and we increased stocks of vital cleaning products for frontline cleaning services.
 
In the same year, we won the Supplier of the Year 2020, and became ISO 14001 certified, showing our commitment to environmental matters and, from October, all of our electricity comes from zero carbon hydro, wind and solar sources.

2020

2011 - 2018

Mi-cloth finalist in the Tomorrow’s Cleaning and Tomorrow’s Care awards. All brands are consolidated under Robert Scott and the new B2B ecommerce website launched.
2018

Universal Towel Company (UTC) acquired to add catering and laundry linens to our range.
2015

To support the need for additional storage we acquired a new, purpose-built 70,000 sq.ft. warehouse facility, Crown in Rochdale.
2014

We’re named winners in Tomorrow’s Cleaning Product Awards for the Big White refill mop and the Stream microfibre flat mop.
2013

​Contico, based in Cornwall, was acquired to further expand our range of cleaning products.
2012

​

The last available part of Heybottom Mill was developed, turning the original single storey building into a two-storey storage and packing department.

2011

2000 - 2010

Acorn Works was expanded by an additional 12,000 sq.ft. 8m high bay racking to further increase the storage capacity of palletised goods. 

2010


Although Brencliffe offices were closed, it didn’t stop the investment in the site as a 16,000 sq.ft. extension was built at Rochley.

2007


The Brencliffe business in Burnley was bought expanding our retail presence and adding automotive products to the business.

2005


Having reached warehouse capacity Broadbent Works was purchased, providing an extra 30,000 sq.ft. of space.

2004


Harold Watson of Heywood was acquired doubling mop production. Millers Brook Mill is locally known as the Mop Shop.

2000

1992 - 1999

A chance meeting with Compass at Interclean led us to develop what has become our current range of non-woven wipes. 

1999


Moved Kentucky and socket mop production out of Oak View Mills to a purpose-built facility at Heybottom Mill.

1998

Acquired Pioneer Manufacturing, introducing microfibre into the range.

1995

We invested in our first AKAB fully automated sewing machines to improve the quality, consistency and efficiency of dishcloth sewing.

1994

Our 10,000 sq.ft. 6m high bay warehouse opened at Heybottom Mill - the first in Saddleworth and our debut investment into high bay narrow aisle racking.

1993

We developed the first machine for producing webs and launched our Hygiene mop range.

1992

1971 - 1988

While we had previously supplied Booker with mops, dusters and dishcloths, in 1988 they also ordered a new, extensive range of products. Heybottom Mill was purchased to cope with this growth.

1988

Throughout the next ten years the current board all joined the company, including the next generation of family members, Alastair, Angus and Daniel, as well as Frank Murphy and Mark Smith. Sadly, Angus passed away in 2016.

1984

We started manufacturing floor, oven and sponge cloths, along with flat knitted dishcloths.

1972

The family business grew and moved to the much larger Oak View Mills in Greenfield. Today, this 19th century Lancashire mill remains Robert Scott's HQ.

1971

1925 - 1964


Using butchers knives and hammers we started making mops, a far cry from the automatic machines we use today.
 

1964

The business started to supply yellow dusters to T.E.Cohen & Sons (then a market trader), more recently known as Tesco. We have supplied them ever since.

1963

Robert restarted the business as Robert Scott & Sons Ltd with his sons James and Peter in what had been a small farmhouse in Lydgate.

1960

A government scheme to reduce overcapacity in the textile industry was introduced and the mill was closed.

1959

His only son, Robert, joined the firm and gradually took over the running of the business.

1930

For the first time, James started manufacturing cleaning cloths for himself at Acorn Mill in Lee near Oldham.

1925