Russell Kempton interviewed by Colin Hyde, 2 December 2002 and 25 March 2003

Describes grandfather's & father's hosiery careers in Leicester, setting up Kempton's, first deal with Marks & Spencer (M&S), types of machinery used. Describes own early life, education, learning hosiery at Leicester College of Technology with Cyril Hurd. Mentions father's hosiery connections with Germany before World War II (WWII), Dubiers machines, Stoll machines. Describes work career at father's firm, coal shortages after WWII, changing technology, relationship with M&S, all aspects of workplace, becoming director, economic difficulties in 1980s which led to closure of company. Reflects on business as was in 1958. Talks in detail about relationship with M&S. Describes hosiery trade after WWII, changing machinery. Mentions Kempton's design team, hosiery in Nottingham and Scotland, M&S affecting quality, company's options when M&S trade stopped. Reflects on job satisfaction, recalls WWII. More on Leicester College of Technology. Talks about manufacturing in South Africa for Woolworths and coping with apartheid