James Ross & Co, a chemical manufacturing business, was established in 1845 by James Ross (1820-1893) and two partners. The business leased land on the Forth & Clyde Canal in Camelon near the West Burn. In 1847 James Ross bought out his two partners and leased land at Limewharf from William Forbes and began tar distillation. The business expanded with the establishment of Philpstoun Oil Works, near Linlithgow and the acquisition of Waverley Chemical Works, Leith and Dawsholm Works, Maryhill. In 1879 the business was transferred to a co-partnership of Robert M Sutherland (manager of Limewharf works) and Robert Orr of Glasgow. In 1920 the company was split into two, as James Ross & Co (Lime Wharf) Ltd and James Ross & Co (Philpstoun Oil Works) Ltd. In 1929 the company amalgamated with two Glasgow companies, Henry Ellison Ltd and Gas Residuals Ltd to form Scottish Tar Distillers Ltd.

James Ross & Co (Limewharf) Ltd was incorporated in 1920 with the registration number SC011311. It went into liquidation in 1929 and was dissolved in 1933. (See Calatria Vol 1 pp97-108 for detailed history of company)