The Group of Companies was developed
by Reginald J Reader for the manufacture of lampshades.
With a background in lighting, and experience of working
on the Isle of Wight during the war, the decision was made
to set up business on the island.
1947 - Reginald
Reader establishes Readers ( Isle of Wight ) Limited producing
lampshades based at Moira House, Cowes, Isle of Wight
1950 - Readers ( Isle of Wight ) move to Cowes airport
site housed in an old aircraft hanger and purpose built
Nissan huts.
1953 - Readers
expand into a second site at Freshwater, Isle of Wight
and begin the production of domestic wireware products.
1956 - Further
expansion leads to the formation of Readers Fancicrafts
Limited and a move to larger premises in Totland, Isle
of Wight for the domestic wireware production.
1960 - Readers
( Isle of Wight ) Limited moves to new premises at Place
Road, Cowes.
1972 - Company
founder Reginald Reader dies and his son Micheal Reader
takes over as Managing Director. Mrs Rose Reader ( the
founders wife ) is appointed Chairman.
1972 - 87 Readers companies continue to expand with lighting
products now selling in over 1100 stores.
1991 - Readers
Taiwan Limited opens in Taipei, Taiwan.
In house Design
Facilities are created to provide design services for
all the Readers Companies.
1997 - Readers
Taiwan offices expand and Quality Control offices are
opened in Hong Kong and Guang Dong China.
2002 - Agriframes Limited is added to the group.
2003
- Hothouse, the first in-house brand of the Readers Group
is launched.
