Through his wife's cousin, William Winchester, Clowes was able to gain access to government printing work which enabled the firm to develop rapidly, moving to Northumberland Court in 1807.
[1][2] In 1823, Clowes installed a steam-powered printing press designed by Applegarth and Edward Cowper.
His factory adjoined the palace of Britain's wealthiest man, the Duke of Northumberland, who successfully instituted a court action for noise and pollution abatement.
[2] The development of powered presses by Clowes is credited with increasing levels of accuracy as well as speed of output, making printed material cheaper and more accessible.
He was also an innovator in terms of working practices and in 1820, became one of the first employers to start a benevolent fund for this workforce.