From The Pictorial Record Volume III, No.26, September 1900:
One of the biggest industrial enterprises in Warminster is that now, and for the past 40 years, carried on by the firm of Messrs. John Hall & Co., first as nail makers, and for 12 years as Paint and Lead Manufacturers.
When Mr Hall first took over the business it was nothing like in extent what it is now, the premises including over 20 show and store rooms besides kilns, grinding mills, and other departments necessary to the work. The firm are manufacturers of paints, white leads, putty, enamels, sanitary distemper paints, patent driers, colours and stains, and in oil, water, or varnish, lubricating oils and greases. They also deal in hardwares, locks, latches, bars, bolts, pulleys, nails, screws, hinges, glass paper and sash line, coffin furniture and inside trimmings, cement, plaster, size, felt, glass, paint brushes, sash tools, painters’ sundries, &c., &c. Almost everything, in fact, in the way of estate and builders’ sundries is supplied, and one would go far to find a larger, better, or more comprehensive stock, which must be of immense convenience to estate owners, builders and contractors in a country district such as this is.
The premises have large yard as well as storage space, and the newest grinding machinery, &c. is thoroughly up to date and equal to turning out goods of the best quality. Price lists of the various articles made and sold are issued, which give most comprehensive information regarding price, size, &c., and these we recommend to all by whom such goods as we have mentioned above are required. When Messrs. Hall and Co. were merchants of paint only, and not manufacturers, complaints as to quality were frequent, and analysis revealed the fact that it was mainly due to the cheap German and other foreign lead and substitutes used; to avoid this the firm built a factory and began to manufacture for themselves, the primary objects being to secure reliable quality, and to use nothing but British products where possible, without detriment to quality.
These aims are being strictly adhered to, and – other things being equal – British productions always secure the preference. Mention of this during our interview with Mr Hall led to a very interesting dissertation from him on a subject in which he is keenly interested, and which he has advocated ever since 1860, viz., fair trade.