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Lebetkin, Harris & Louis (1905-1978)

Lebetkin, Harris & Louis

East End & Hackney, London; cabinet makers (fl.1905-78)

Harris Lebetkin came to London from Grodno, Russia, in 1905 as a skilled cabinet maker and worked for Isaac Griew until 1910. For the next seven years he was employed by other cabinet makers. 

In 1917 he started his own business making good quality solid oak bureaux and selling to wholesalers in the East End. He was joined by his son, Louis, in 1922 and at that time was employing 12 skilled cabinet makers. The firm moved to Darnley Road, Hackney in 1929, adding the production of dining room suites to its range. A further move to Edmonton took place in 1934, where the skilled labour force increased to 200. War products, Utility furniture and post-war expansion followed. 

In 1948 Lebetkin acquired Colover Brothers, the following year Maryland Furniture and E. Ritt (both lower-end furniture makers), and a large manufacturing unit, the Enfield Furniture Manufacturing Company, was purchased in 1950-51. 

At its peak in 1957 the Lebetkin Group, with its 1,500 workforce, was taken over by Schreiber and Louis Lebetkin continued within the business until his retirement in 1978. 

Brian, Louis’s son, followed his father into the furniture trade in the Cambridge Heath/Bethnal Green area.

Source: Massil, Immigrant Furniture Workers in London 1881-1939 (1997).