TWO long-standing Bradford-based business have been brought together this week to operate under one roof.

The staff and manufacturing services of PD Pattern Books, Eccleshill, have relocated to the Melrose Interiors Ltd facility in Wibsey.

PD Pattern Books has been based at the Stonehall Mills site in Eccleshill since 1983. The mill was known locally as Whiteley’s Mills as it was once owned by Thomas Whiteley & Co.

Richard Whiteley (of Countdown fame) was a descendant of Thomas Whiteley and a frequent visitor to the mill.

Founded in 1973, PD Pattern Books is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of pattern books, sampling and other presentation materials for the flooring sector.

The business was acquired by Birmingham-based Headlam Group plc in August 2023.

A leader in the industry, the firm brings more than 50 years of expertise and a highly- established customer base to Melrose’s existing operations, which became part of Headlam in January 2023.

Melrose has been supplying the UK rug and flooring industry since 1968 and includes online and high street retailers amongst its customer base.

As part of the acquisition, PD Pattern Books Ltd has rebranded to Spectrum Pattern Book Specialists.

Investment in the two businesses is planned, and this includes new machinery and people to increase production capacity and further improve the service.