How is it......

[Nibby]

That most British firms have fell by the wayside since my youth?
I was reminded of a sportswear firm called Gola, they made football boots and trainers and were the 'brand to have' in the early 70s. This goes for loads of British firms, Made in Gt Britain was the sign of the best quality in the world.
Was Gola that much worse than Nike and Adidas? Or did the upheavals at BL drag down every other British company?

 

[midlifecrisis]

Gola?

Still going....

Gola.co.uk

 

[Nibby]

Gola?

Still going....

Gola.co.uk

Yeah I see they were still going but wonder why they slipped down the popularity stakes when they were once up there with Adidas and Nike.

 

[CatmanV2]

....because people stopped buying their stuff.

C

 

[Nibby]

....because people stopped buying their stuff.

C

But after the BL fiasco I think it was foreign is better.

 

[GeoffCapes]

Are Hi-Tec still going? I think Reebok was swallowed by Nike wasn't it?

Others (football boot manufactures) Patrick? Dunlop even made trainers, Brooks, Troop I'm sure there are more.

 

[sionie1]

Hi-tec are still going, Reebok was owned by Adidas for a while, but no longer. I’m sure Brooks focus on running shoes now, if it’s the same company,

 

[Koz]

New Balance still manufacture some of its range in England. I wear their running shoes. I find the UK stuff far superior to the Chinese and still better than the USA made stuff. I fear it’s the same with shoes I like Cheaney made in Northampton but also have Grensons and Loake and Barkers which if you are not careful could be made in India as opposed to England.

 

[CatmanV2]

But after the BL fiasco I think it was foreign is better.

Well I didn't presume to indicate why they stopped buying British built stuff. I'm sure there are a variety of reasons, and yet some companies carry on. Barkers spring immediately to mind. Brompton as a close second. Both manufacturing, both (apparently) modestly or more successful.

Hi-tec are still going, Reebok was owned by Adidas for a while, but no longer. I’m sure Brooks focus on running shoes now, if it’s the same company,

Hi-Tec I think are owned by one of the Sports Direct types, but could be wrong.

I fear it’s the same with shoes I like Cheaney made in Northampton but also have Grensons and Loake and Barkers which if you are not careful could be made in India as opposed to England.

Per above. I was pretty sure Barkers are all UK made but stand to be corrected. I know all mine are UK refurbished when I send them in

C

 

[Koz]

Well I didn't presume to indicate why they stopped buying British built stuff. I'm sure there are a variety of reasons, and yet some companies carry on. Barkers spring immediately to mind. Brompton as a close second. Both manufacturing, both (apparently) modestly or more successful.




Hi-Tec I think are owned by one of the Sports Direct types, but could be wrong.



Per above. I was pretty sure Barkers are all UK made but stand to be corrected. I know all mine are UK refurbished when I send them in

C

I think from memory it’s the Barkers International line that’s Made in India.

 

[Koz]

Barkers is I think Indian owned

 

[bigbob]

That most British firms have fell by the wayside since my youth?
I was reminded of a sportswear firm called Gola, they made football boots and trainers and were the 'brand to have' in the early 70s. This goes for loads of British firms, Made in Gt Britain was the sign of the best quality in the world.
Was Gola that much worse than Nike and Adidas? Or did the upheavals at BL drag down every other British company?

I’m sure you can make this narrative fit any sector and any country if you want. Lots of businesses fail and lots of brands disappear it’s just the natural evolution of stuff. North Face and Patagonia were nowhere three decades ago but are now massive. Meanwhile we can all cite loads of clothing/footwear brands that have gone.

 

[GeoffCapes]

Barkers is I think Indian owned

Bit like Land Rover, but people still think of them as British.

 

[bigbob]

Bit like Land Rover, but people still think of them as British.

I don’t think it matters who ultimately owns anything unless it impacts on product range/pricing/quality and also whether you might have ethical considerations about the owners. Land Rover is British as far as buyers are concerned and that is the image it projects. The fact that two of its cars are made in Slovakia interests few people, ditto Tata who I think have done a great job.

 

[Oneball]

That most British firms have fell by the wayside since my youth?
I was reminded of a sportswear firm called Gola, they made football boots and trainers and were the 'brand to have' in the early 70s. This goes for loads of British firms, Made in Gt Britain was the sign of the best quality in the world.
Was Gola that much worse than Nike and Adidas? Or did the upheavals at BL drag down every other British company?

Fashions and the influence of USA is probably your answer.
Gola still make shoes in Great Britain.
We lead the world in motorsport. A huge amount of satellite production is in the UK. It might not be British owned but we have the most productive car plant in the world. Duncan Fearnley are still up the road from me as is Lea and Perrins. JCB are a worldwide brand. The London Stock Exchange is still the one everyone wants to be listed on. Even those foreign owned companies need to be here as made in GB means a lot; Land Rover, Jaguar, Bentley, Rolls, Aston, even Royal Enfield now have a base here as they sell on Britishness.

 

[CatmanV2]

Barkers is I think Indian owned

Certainly owned somewhere

<quote>
Today – Barker Shoes is owned by an international group who are committed to maintaining the brand integrity.
</quote>

I think from memory it’s the Barkers International line that’s Made in India.

I confess I've never heard of their international line. Just quick digging, info apart from their site is a bit thin on the ground but:

<quote>
From our factory in Earls Barton, the journey of each Barker pair begins. Explore the different stages of our shoemaking process as we take you through the traditional techniques and exquisite craftsmanship that go into each and every pair of shoes.
</quote>

Which at least is worded to indicate that they are all made Chez @Zep

C

 

[Zep]

Yep. I can see the Barkers factory from my window.

Churches and Trickers still manufacture in Northampton.

Cummins manufacture a lot of their high spec engines in the Daventry.

I think the differentiating factor for manufacturing is that the cost of manufacture in the U.K. (labour costs) means that anything we make has to have a higher intrinsic value.

If you want something that is smashed out by the thousand by a big machine, it’s going to be made in a low cost economy, if you want high quality, bespoke craftsmanship, then you will probably still find it made in the U.K.

 

[CatmanV2]

Cummins manufacture a lot of their high spec engines in the Daventry.

Perkins are still in Peterborough as well I think?

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

If you want something that is smashed out by the thousand by a big machine, it’s going to be made in a low cost economy, if you want high quality, bespoke craftsmanship, then you will probably still find it made in the U.K.

Albeit not at McLaren (allegedly) according to @midlifecrisis

 

[midlifecrisis]

A lot of Dorset companies supplied airport equipment to Bournemouth Airport and the rest of the country and world. It was handy to deliver/collect spares from a local manufacturer, with no import duty to contend with and this was before that madness of 2016.