Research fellow Stephen Jones has studied the significance of Ross and Glendining, at one stage New Zealand's largest manufacturing business, and yesterday his book, Doing Well and Doing Good: Ross and Glendining: Scottish enterprise in New Zealand, was launched at an Otago-Southland Institute of Directors function in the city.
Justin Elliot, the manager of the book's publisher, Otago University Press, said the book revealed the importance of the company not only for Dunedin, but also for New Zealand.
"It is a window on early New Zealand manufacturing and even on setting up New Zealand's economy."
Ross and Glendining was founded in Dunedin in 1862 by two emigrant Scots, John Ross and Robert Glendining, who started importing drapery.
Later they moved in to footwear, clothing and knitwear, established the Roslyn Mills, and opening retail and manufacturing branches throughout the country.
They used their success as businessman and in politics to diversify into farming and coal mines.
A distinguished fellow of the Institute of Directors, Trevor Scott, gave a synopsis of the company's history at yesterday's book launch at the Dunedin Club.
He also talked about the city's economic history with an emphasis on governance.
