The early years - Kleppers
Mr Klepper started the business on his own as a single machinist manufacturing ladies coats at home in Prestwich. He gradually employed more people as business grew. He moved the “factory” to premises above the “Linen Market” on Oldham Street. You had to climb 2 flights of stairs and once at the top, a bell had to be rung to enter. The factory was split into two halves,
first part being the cutting room and second part where the machinists worked (Approx 30). They used the manufacturing practice which was called CMT (Cut, Make and Trim) for 3rd party sellers who collected finished stock with a “Gown van”. The business had then become S Klepper & Sons Ltd and Mr Klepper brought in his eldest son (early 1950’s) and then his younger son (Beginning of 1960’s). There was a long-term employee called Walter who was an experienced time-served cutter. The business became the largest independent company in the country manufacturing Ladies outerwear (Needs confirming). Snugkoat
At this time, Mr Klepper senior was either retired or semi-retired. A partnership venture was formed between Klepper’s eldest son and a businessman called Mr Barnett, a Londoner living in Whitefield who in his own right a successful businessman making coats and dresses selling to the likes of Bon Marche etc. This new business was called Snugkoat (Manchester) Ltd. The spelling designed to incorporate the initials “S” and “K” of Mr Klepper senior’s name. At start up, both Mr Klepper’s eldest son and Mr Barnett were owners and Managing Directors of the business with Klepper’s youngest son a non-board Director. Mr Barnett continued with some of his own businesses in addition to Snugkoat. This new business was located in Sedgewick Mill on Red Hill Street in Ancoats. A typical mill used for manufacturing of textiles etc. They occupied a floor (Either 1st or second – TBC). The manufacturing floor had small number of offices, large cutting area with cutting table, bandsaws patterns and rolls of cloth/linings. There were the machinists, buttonholing machines, an area for cleaning (Snipping lose threads) Quality control and labelling, bagging etc. Over 130 machinists worked here together with all designing and cutting of cloth. This was certainly a noisy fast past environment where the machinist (Predominantly women in the 1970’s) where paid by piece work having been assessed by a Time and Study manager. Other sites in Manchester included a showroom on Lever Street and a warehouse/showroom on Oldham Road managed by a guy called “Len”. Many customers purchasing ladies’ coats either wholesale or special order to then retail on included Owen Owen, Freemans and many more - Need to identify who else were customers – can any readers help? A non- family related partner was also made a director/partner who was their key Designer (Not Walter from the early days). Klepper’s eldest son had also brought his own son into the business (Now a 3rd Generation Klepper) who also became a director. As business grew, a new factory was purchased in Skelmersdale to handle capacity. During this time, garments were manufactured under Snugkoat labelling and a expansion into ladies sports jackets (Bomber type in style) under the label SK Sport.
