J & J W Longbottom was formed in the late 1870’s, a partnership between brothers Joe and Joshua Woodhead Longbottom, both of Holmfirth. Although Joshua had trained as a foundryman from leaving school, brother Joe worked in textiles as a cloth drawer, employing 2 people. By 1877, the company had grown to employ 20 people. In the late 19th century as well as rainwater goods, the company took on general work, an example being lampposts for the local council. On the death of Joe, aged 53, brother Joshua continued to run the business until his own death in 1924, aged 74 when the company passed to the Firth family, Joe’s nephew. In the mid-19th century the foundry was expanded to accommodate the increasing demand for heavy grates as well as rainwater goods.