John Round & Son Ltd

John Round had previously worked for William Hutton, living on site at Surrey Street, and working with silver plating. In 1847, he fell out with his employer and moved not far away to Tudor Street. He both lived and worked here and within 3 years was employing over 90 people. He became one of the main manufacturers of electro plated wares, a skill he had learned at Hutton's. Edwin, John's son also joined the business.

The company were known for their good quality cutlery and their silver fruit knives. They grew, with agents in London and as far away as Paris and Montreal. By 1871 they employed 350 workers. Perhaps they expanded too quickly as they also had debts of £ 40,000 in 1870, which led to them entering receivership. The company was found new directors from the great and the good of the Sheffield business community. John Round retained some shares in the company, for the use of his name, but no longer had any involvement in the running of the business. In 1874 they became a limited company. By the next year Edwin Round & Son Ltd had set up as a separate business.

After John Round's reorganisation they thrived. In 1886, Joseph Ridge's company was amalgamated with Rounds and Ridge was brought in to manage the company. The company continued to do well until the 1920s when it began to be left behind by changes in taste and the advancement of technology. In 1932, another well-known Sheffield cutlery ... show more

John Round had previously worked for William Hutton, living on site at Surrey Street, and working with silver plating. In 1847, he fell out with his employer and moved not far away to Tudor Street. He both lived and worked here and within 3 years was employing over 90 people. He became one of the main manufacturers of electro plated wares, a skill he had learned at Hutton's. Edwin, John's son also joined the business.

The company were known for their good quality cutlery and their silver fruit knives. They grew, with agents in London and as far away as Paris and Montreal. By 1871 they employed 350 workers. Perhaps they expanded too quickly as they also had debts of £ 40,000 in 1870, which led to them entering receivership. The company was found new directors from the great and the good of the Sheffield business community. John Round retained some shares in the company, for the use of his name, but no longer had any involvement in the running of the business. In 1874 they became a limited company. By the next year Edwin Round & Son Ltd had set up as a separate business.

After John Round's reorganisation they thrived. In 1886, Joseph Ridge's company was amalgamated with Rounds and Ridge was brought in to manage the company. The company continued to do well until the 1920s when it began to be left behind by changes in taste and the advancement of technology. In 1932, another well-known Sheffield cutlery

firm, Joseph Rodgers bought Round assets.