Connolly Brothers Ltd

Connolly Brothers Ltd was a cable and wire makers founded by John, Thomas and James Connolly in 1894 but acquired 1895 by a consortium of seven subscribers. The business employed around 150 workers.

Connollys initially concentrated production on wire covered with vulcanised rubber and flexible wires. By around 1900 they had installed a lead press to produce lead covered cable which created opportunities in the Far East. They pioneered enamelled wire production using a process licensed from Alfred Voqelgesting of Germany. In 1909 Connollys secured a contract with the General Post Office (GPO) to supply enamelled and cotton covered wire, made up into lead covered cable for use in the telephone service.

In 1919 the company went into receivership and the assets of Connolly Brothers Ltd were sold to Enfield Cables Limited. This led to the formation of Connollys (Blackley).