Yates & Thom Ltd, or Yates of Blackburn, was a British manufacturer of stationary steam engines and boilers at the Canal Ironworks, Blackburn, Lancashire, England.The company had its origins in a blacksmith's shop started by William Yates in 1824.[3] An engine, one of a pair supplied by the firm, survives at Leigh Spinners.It was the largest steam winding engine used on the Lancashire Coalfield.[6] The company continued to manufacture boilers until 1964, with the remainder of the works closing in 1973.