In 1946 when Walter Croll opened his small upholstery and bedding workshop in the Millbrook area of Southampton, majestic ships from such famous lines as Cunard, P and O and Union Castle daily sailed into Southampton Water. The superb interiors of these vessels, which had made Britains passenger fleet a byword for luxury and elegance, demanded the highest standard of workmanship. The craftsmanship of Walter Crolls workshop soon began to win it a growing number of orders from discerning customers, and when the Union Castle Line awarded Millbrook a contract to refurnish and carpet their entire fleet, the success of the young Company was assured.