On the 11th November 1919, exactly one year to the day after the first world war
finally ended George Hill (Oldham) Limited, timber merchants and moulding manufacturers,
now located at Scottfield Saw Mills on Ashton Road Oldham was established by Saddleworth farmer
George Hill.
George Hill had been inspired to set up his timber business after spending some time in the USA before the Great War.
With his son, Wilfred, George Hill set up premises in Water Street in converted cottages previously used for curing fish. Three years later, on leaving school at age 14, george Frank Hill, George's younger son joined the family business. The demand for timber grew between the two world wars, driven by the need for better housing.
At the outset George and his sons shared the work between the equally, the warehousing, moulding and selling was done by whoever
was available. It would not be until the 1950s that the two sons specialised - Wilfred controlling purchasing and George Frank looking after
production.
Despite the depression of the 1930s the business continued to grow, and further premises were acquired at Lady Street, Oldham (previously the home of the Oldham Ice Company). Later the company bought adjacent land on Lord Street.Read More
Above: Founder Mr George Hill and his wife Annie.
Left: An early chain driven vehicle transporting newly felled trees to a sawmill.