Ensign was the trade name of Houghton Ltd, manufacturers of film and cameras. By 1908 Houghton had the largest camera producing plant in Britain; its factory in Walthamstow, east London employed over 700 staff. In 1915 Houghton merged with W Butcher and Sons Ltd; and in 930 Ensign Ltd was floated, the company taking its name from the camera they produced. The company folded in 194, but the Ensign marque continued until 1961.