 They were pioneers of cotton-spinning machinery, developing innovatory products which enabled the mass-production of cotton yarn.Platt Brothers became the largest textile machine makers in the world, employing over people in the 1890s, twice the number of their nearest rivals Dobson & Barlow in Bolton and Asa Lees on Greenacres Moor.They were keen investors in the local area and at one time, were supporting 42% of the population.