Corgi Socks

Last updated

Corgi Socks
Company typePrivate Company
Industry Retail
Founded Ammanford, Wales (1892;133 years ago (1892))
Headquarters
Ammanford
,
Wales UK
Key people
Chris Jones, Co-Managing Director Lisa Wood, Co-Managing Director
ProductsSocks, Knitwear
Number of employees
50 (2017)
Website www.corgisocks.com

Corgi Socks is the trading name of Corgi Hosiery Limited, is Welsh a manufacturer of luxury socks and knitwear in hand-knitted wool, cotton and cashmere. The company, which was founded in 1892, is located in Ammanford, Wales, UK. It employs around 50 people. [1]

Contents

Corgi is a subsidiary of Dewhurst Dent Plc, owners of Dents. [2] Its manufacturing process employs many older machines including rare 125-year-old Griswold hand-knitting machines, socks are hand finished using traditional methods. [3] Knitwear is hand-framed and intricate intarsia designs can be created. [4] Customers include the British royal family. [5]

History

When Corgi was founded in 1892 by Rhys Jones, it began as a maker of socks for Welsh miners. Although Corgi has had different ownership, it has always been run by the Jones family. Currently the founder's great, great grandchildren, siblings Chris Jones and Lisa Wood manage the business. [6] They took over from their father Huw Jones in 1997 and transitioned the business from making socks under other people's labels to growing the Corgi brand. [7] It has been a subsidiary of Dewhurst Dent PLC since 2008. [2]

In 1939 Corgi began making argyle pattern socks for Brooks Brothers. [7] Corgi also made socks for the British troops during World War II. [7] The company now makes knitwear under its own brand as well as for designers like Burberry and Thom Browne. [3]

Queen Elizabeth II bought her socks from Corgi, [8] [9] [10] and Prince George has a jumper made by the company. [11] [12] To raise funds for those impacted by the Manchester Arena bombing, socks decorated with bees were made – bees being a symbol of Manchester. [13] In 2012 the company was fined following mishandling of asbestos by contractors during renovations to the roof. [14]

In 2015, the business expanded with a 3,000-square feet extension and new knitting machines. [3]

Awards

Corgi received a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales (now Charles III) in 1989. [15] [16] [3] [17]

See also

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References

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  13. Laurie, Daniel (6 June 2017). "Corgi Hosiery in Ammanford have created socks to raise funds for Manchester attack victims". South Wales Guardian. Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  14. "Corgi Hosiery fined over factory asbestos removal". BBC News. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  15. "Corgi Hosiery Ltd". www.royalwarrant.org. Royal Warrant Holders Association. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
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