1942

THE BEGINNING

Lincoln Stocks was born on January 23, 1942. His early years were spent in Leeds, a city heavily influenced by the clothing manufacturing industry, where most of his family worked.

Lincoln Stocks was born on January 23, 1942. His early years were spent in Leeds, a city heavily influenced by the clothing manufacturing industry, where most of his family worked.

1957

EARLY CAREER

After finishing Hunslet Carr School with aspirations of becoming an aircraft engineer, Lincoln was advised by his parents to gain work experience in a factory.

He found a job at Bellow Machine Company, where he began as an apprentice engineer. His exceptional skills sent him to Pfaff in Germany for technical training, making him the youngest engineer to receive such training. Lincoln thrived at Bellow's, installing the first Pfaff 463 under-bed trimmer machines in various factories, including Desmond’s in Ireland.

Photo: Lincoln Stocks (back row, fourth from right) with his colleagues at Bellow Machine Company

1964 - 1968

PERSONAL MILESTONES

Lincoln met and began dating Maureen Reynard. They married in 1966 and welcomed their first child, Andrea, in 1968.

Photo: Lincoln and Maureen Stocks celebrating Lincoln's 60th birthday

1971

COMPANY FOUNDING

Lincoln and Maureen welome their second child, Andrew.

That same year, Lincoln left Bellows and founded L.Stocks Sewing Machines, initially operating from their home before moving to a small premises on Burley Road.

At the time he was also teaching Advanced Sewing Machine Engineering at Leeds City College's Jacob Kramer Building

Photo: The first premises on Burley Road

Late 1970's

GROWTH

The business outgrew its initial premises on Burley Road, moving to Wellington Road.

By 1986, due to continued success, they relocated to the top floor of a building on Sovereign Street, owned by W A Homburg Ltd, a fancy dress business, with whom they had a strong business relationship.

Photo: Andrew Stocks, aged 14, helping his dad at the Wellington Road premises

1988

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Andrea joined the company, aged 20, after working at Glenoit, in an office administration role.

Andrew also joined 1990, as an engineer, after working as an apprentice engineer at a garment factory, Executex, whilst completing the Advanced Sewing Machine Engineer course at Leeds City College.

Photo: The new premises at Sovereign Street

1991

EXPANSION

W A Homburg Ltd sold their building on Sovereign Street and relocated to a new building on Regent Street. They offered us a larger space within their building, to which we moved to.

Photo: The new premises on Regent Street with the fleet vehicles and team.
From left to right: Michael Doherty, Paul Todd, Phil, Bert Thackray, Paul Jones, Colin Priestley, Andrew Pickles

1999

LIMITED

On April 7, 1999, L. Stocks Sewing Machines became a limited company and began trading as Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd.

Photo: Celebrating Lincoln's 60th birthday with family
From left to right: Maureen Stocks, Andrea Todd, Holly Todd, Lincoln Stocks, Andrew Stocks

2001

THE RECESSION

The UK hit a recession, closing many large garment factories, seeing the garment manufacturing industry move overseas to Europe. Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd were to decide on whether to close the business, or try a new venture.

Lincoln decided to venture into domestic sewing and embroidery machine distribution for brands including Brother, Janome, and Husqvarna.

2003

COMMERCIAL

In 2003, Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd became a distributor for Brother's commercial embroidery machines, marking Andrew's first major sales venture with the PR600 model.

2006

A NEW ERA

Sadly, Lincoln Stocks passed away peacefully on March 24, 2006, at the age of 64.

Andrea and Andrew take over the family business, continuing Lincoln’s legacy.

2008

ANOTHER MOVE

W A Homburg Ltd ceased trading and sold their building, meaning Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd would move from Regent Street to Croydon Street, Holbeck.

Shortly after, we signed a dealership with ZSK Stickmaschinen GmbH, becoming their sole UK distributor for industrial embroidery machinery.

2013

DURKOPP ADLER

Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd purchase MC Sewing Machines business due to Mick Coyne's retirement. With this came the transfer of Agency for Durkopp Adler from MC to Stocks.

2014

STROBEL & COMPLETT

Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd purchase Scotland based DA Agency Ltd due to the retirement of Gordon Hamilton.

With this, we acquired DA Agency's sole UK representation for Strobel Industrial Sewing Machines and Complett Industrial Knitting Machines.

Shortly after, we also started to work with Rotondi S.R.L (Italy) and became their UK representative for Industrial Pressing Equipment for the garment industry

2019

WALES

Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd began working with Dan Robinson of Stitchtech Solutions, Wales, who assisted with sales and service in the southern UK.

2020

PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in sales of Brother PR commercial embroidery machines as many individuals started home-based businesses.

Due to the demand and growth of the embroidery industry, we required more space and more technicians, resulting in the occupancy of Unit 2 Croydon Street (next door) which doubled our space.

2021

CONTINUED GROWTH

Dan Robinson joins the company under full-time employment.

We opened a new unit in Newport for Dan to be based, to better serve Wales and the South of the UK.

Photo: Unit H3 Britannia Enterprise Centre, Newport

TODAY

ONWARDS & UPWARDS

Today, Stocks Sewing Machines Ltd is a well-established business with over 50 years of experience in the garment industry.

With a dedicated team of 10, we continue to supply excellent machinery across the UK, helping to start hundreds of new businesses while maintaining strong family values to honour the legacy of Mr. Lincoln Stocks.

Photo: Most of the team, joined by Sara of Sarangua (far left) and Kerollos Sidhom of ZSK Germany (far right) at the Printwear & Promotions LIVE exhibition 2024