 | |
| Company type | Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Luggage |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Founder | John Boultbee Brooks |
| Headquarters | , United Kingdom |
Key people | Kirsty Glenne (MD) |
| Products | Luggage |
| Owners | ATR Holdings Ltd |
| Website | Antler.co.uk |
Antler is a British company that has been designing and manufacturing luggage since 1914. The company is currently headquartered in London, United Kingdom. [1]
John Boultbee Brooks a famous bicycle seat manufacturer Brooks England, founded Antler in Criterion Works, Birmingham in 1914, [2] producing leather wardrobe trunks for ocean voyages and unique motor trunks designed to be attached to cars. [3] His interest in wildlife prompted him to adopt a stag’s head and antlers as the official brand symbol for the luggage line, which remains the firm's logo to this day. [4]
World War II led Antler to start producing haversacks, webbing belts and military equipment. After the war, the firm reverted to its original product line, introducing soft-sided luggage.
Tourism boomed in the 1950s as air travel became more accessible and affordable. Antler needed to adjust to consumer demands, with products that combined soft and hard materials and fabrics in one suitcase.
By 1965, Antler employed 400 workers and exported their products internationally [ citation needed ].
In 2010, Lloyds Development Capital (L.D.C.) backed a management buyout of Antler. [5] [6] Following this, Antler left its headquarters in Bury, Greater Manchester in 2013, relocating to Central London. [7] This was followed by a number of changes, most notably the relaunch of RevelationLondon, Antler's sister brand, in 2016. [8]
In 2017, Antler was sold to Endless LLP. [9] In 2020, Antler was sold again, to ATR Holdings, went into administration in May of that year as the effects of the pandemic on travel took their toll. [10] [11] The company announced it was out of administration on 20 July 2020 as a new registered company, ATR Brands Ltd, trading as Antler. [12] The new company's headquarters are on Dover Street, London. [13]
A suitcase is a form of luggage. It is a rectangular container with a handle and is typically used to carry one's clothes and other belongings while traveling. The first suitcases appeared in the late 19th century due to the increased popularity of mass tourism at the time and were meant to hold dress suits. They were originally made using heavier materials such as leather or steel, but, beginning in the 1930s, were constructed with more lightweight materials like plastic and cardboard.
A trunk, also known as a travel trunk, is a large cuboid container designed to hold clothes and other personal belongings. They are most commonly used for extended periods away from home, such as for boarding school, or long trips abroad. Trunks are differentiated from chests by their more rugged construction due to their intended use as luggage, instead of the latter's pure storage.
Samsonite International S.A. is a luggage manufacturer and retailer, with products ranging from large suitcases to small toiletries bags and briefcases. The company was founded in 1910 in Denver, Colorado, United States.
Baggage or luggage consists of bags, cases, and containers which hold a traveler's personal articles while the traveler is in transit. A modern traveler can be expected to have packages containing clothing, toiletries, small possessions, trip necessities. On the return trip, travelers may have souvenirs and gifts. For some people, luggage and the style thereof is representative of the owner's wealth and status. Luggage is constructed to protect the items during travel either with a hard shell or a durable soft material. Luggage often has internal subdivisions or sections to aid in securing items. Handles are typically provided to facilitate carrying, and some luggage may have wheels and/or telescoping handles or leashes to make moving them easier.
Tumi Holdings, Inc., is a manufacturer of high-end suitcases and bags for travel based in Edison, New Jersey. Founded in 1975 by Charlie Clifford after a stint in the Peace Corps in Peru, the company is named after a Peruvian tumi ceremonial knife used for sacrifices. Tumi, Inc. was a unit of Doughty Hanson & Co. from 2004 until after its 2012 initial public offering.
Trunki is a brand of ride-on/carry-on hand luggage for children, designed by Rob Law. The product became well-known after featuring on the UK television series Dragons' Den in 2006.
Pork Farms is a Nottingham-based British producer and distributor of mainly pork-based bakery products. The company grew from a pie shop founded in 1931, and was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1971. After several sales and amalgamations, since 2017 the brand has been owned by Lloyds Development Capital.
Mountain Warehouse Limited is a British outdoor retailer selling equipment for hiking, camping, skiing, cycling, running and fitness.
Tanner Krolle is a manufacturer of leather goods based in London.
West Cornwall Pasty Company is a fast food chain in the United Kingdom specialising in making and selling pasties. The company was established in 1998 and has been owned by Mark and David Samworth since 2017. In 2020 the company's retail outlets closed but it continues to supply other retailers.
H.J. Cave & Sons is a London-based fashion house specialising in luxury leather accessories. Founded in 1839 by Harriet Jane Cave. H.J. Cave is believed to be the first designer of the modern leather handbag.
Belber is a heritage American leather goods company founded in Philadelphia in 1891.
THG Ingenuity Cloud Services, formerly UK2 Group, is a global provider of internet services. It forms part of THG Ingenuity, an e-commerce services platform. Its services include web hosting, virtual private servers, domain name registration, management, dedicated servers and a content delivery network.
Globe-Trotter is a British manufacturer of luxury luggage, based in Mayfair, founded in 1897.
Rimowa GmbH, often stylized as RIMOWA, is a luxury luggage manufacturer. The company was founded in 1898, in Cologne, Germany.
Valextra is a brand of luxury leather goods and accessories based in Milan, Italy. The name is a portmanteau of "Valigia", the Italian word for suitcase, and "extra".
Bluesmart Inc. was a global travel technology company that developed and produced Internet of Things travel products. The brand launched a carry-on suitcase, the Bluesmart One, on the crowdfunding website Indiegogo in 2014. The campaign raised $2.2 million USD in contributions and became the highest crowdfunding project ever for a travel product at that time.
Lancel is a French Maison of luxury leather goods, founded in Paris in 1876 by Angèle and Alphonse Lancel and developed by their son Albert.
Away is an American luggage and travel accessories brand founded by Jen Rubio and Steph Korey in 2015 and based in New York City. Having raised $31 million in financing, Away is one of the highest funded female-backed startups.
Endless is a British private equity firm. It is headquartered at Ground Floor, 12 King Street, Leeds, with an office at 102 Park Street, London W1.