J. Barbour and Sons
of 26 Beacon Buildings, South Shields (1931)
1894 Company established in the Market Place in South Shields by John Barbour, supplying oilskins and other garments to sailors, fishermen and mariners.
1908 Malcolm Barbour produced the first mail order catalogue.
By 1917, the catalogue accounted for almost 75% of Barbour’s business.
1936 Duncan Barbour, a keen motorcyclist, introduced a one piece International motorcycling suit named after the International Six Day Trials for which it was created.
1968 Margaret became a member of the Board of Directors after the sudden death of her husband, John
1973 Margaret became Chairman.
1977 Barbour International suits were worn by virtually every British international motorcycling team from 1936 to 1977 when Barbour pulled out of the motorcycle clothing market.
1980 Introduced the Bedale, a lightweight thornproof short jacket, designed for equestrian purposes.
1981 Barbour moved into a new factory in Simonside, South Shields
1983 Introduced the Beaufort wax jacket
2001 "Margaret Barbour, the businesswoman who turned South Shields-based family waxed jacket specialists J Barbour and Sons Ltd into a global success, has become a dame."[1]
2009 Established J. Barbour and Sons (Manufacturing) Ltd, a private company - presumably a subsidiary.
The 5th generation of this family-owned business remains in the North East. Barbour’s headquarters, now located in Simonside, South Shields, is also home to the factory where Barbour’s iconic Bedale and Beaufort wax jackets are still manufactured by hand and where customer services lovingly re-wax, repair and Re-Love wax jackets and mend quilts by hand, enabling customers to extend the lives of their jackets.
See Barbours and Beacon Thornproofs , the brands.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette 31 December 2001
- [1] Barbour website