The original founders of the company were William Cooper & Arnold Williams but the controlling share of the company was bought out in 1959 by William (Bill) Carter and the Carter family still today have an active interest in the business.
In 1932 Typewriter Exchange were appointed sole agents for the supply and servicing of Imperial typewriters in their area. This was quite an accolade as Imperial were then the most prominent British manufacturer of typewriters and remained so until the mid 1970's.
In the early days a major proportion of the activity of the company was involved with the repair and servicing of the Imperial and other makes of manual and portable typewriters. Engineers would visit firms with whom the company had a contract. These included household names such as Rolls Royce Motors, BICC, British Steel, and all the High Street Banks. Between one and two hundred machines could be serviced on a visit with either individuals or teams of engineers and apprentices visiting the offices as appropriate.
Commercial vans, a motorcycle with sidecar and even public transport were used to transport the personnel between Chester and places as far afield as Aberystwyth, Barmouth, Caernarvon and Anglesey. Typewriter Exchange was situated in various premises in the city centre but will probably be best known for its occupation of 59, Bridge Street Row from the mid 1940s to mid 1970s. In those days all equipment had to be off loaded and carried up at least one level to the Rows and then possibly a further two floors within the building. It was therefore realised that these premises were becoming increasingly impractical, and a move was imperative.
In 1975 the company decided to relocate to its present premises in New Crane Street to enable business development and add other office machines, furniture and stationery to the product lines on offer. |
