Crockett & Jones
In 1879 Crockett & Jones was founded by Charles Jones and James Crockett in Northampton. They were able to establish Crockett & Jones with a grant from Thomas White Trust to encourage entrepreneurs at the time. It is a well-known, high quality shoe company specializing in the manufacturing of Goodyear-welted footwear. It is currently being run by the great, great grandson of its co-founder, Charles Jones. [1] Crockett & Jones produces both men and women’s footwear where there are three collections offered for men (Hand Grade Collection, Main Collection and Shell Cordovan Collection) and a limited range of boots and low heeled shoes. [2]
Method
Though the manufacturing of shoes has changed since the company was first founded they still produce their products with the highest of quality. They do this by employing a highly skilled work force to perform various operations in the crafting of the high quality shoes. This method is very labour intensive but ensures the highest quality of each shoe produced. Crockett & Jones use a Goodyear welt in their shoe assembly, which warrants an exceptional degree of reliability and strength integrated into the shoe. [3]
History
Northampton has been known for its shoe making abilities and the shoes that are produced out of the area, which was very fitting for Crockett & Jones to set up their first factory there in 1879. At this point of time they concentrated on creating men’s boots. [4]
Not much later in the 1890’s, Harry Crockett and Frank Jones, the second generation started to integrate newer and more technologically advanced machinery into the shoe production process. The machinery was created by Charles Goodyear and it integrated flawlessly. It produced shoes at a faster rate and created lighter work. This machinery created by Charles Goodyear is said to have inspired the name of the high quality Goodyear Welt. [5]
In 1897, Crockett and Jones started to acknowledge a need for a larger factory to expand the company and improve productivity and efficiency. At this time they purchased a factory, which is still used by Crockett & Jones today. [6]
Around the 1910’s the company began exporting a substantial amount of their volume to international locations such as Australia, Argentina, South Africa, USA and the far east. Although they were exporting a vast amount internationally the majority of the shoes were still being sold and purchased closely to Northampton. [7]
The thirties marked a significant development and improvement for the company. At the time of the third generation, becoming involved in the family business the company’s production reached all time highs of 15,000 pairs of high quality, Crockett & Jones shoes a week. The majority of these shoes produced each week were women’s boots and shoes. They also went on to supply the war effort with more than a million pairs of officer’s boots to contribute in this time of need. The company was under strict instructions to cease the production of their usual footwear to footwear suited for the military, particularly officer’s shoes, and shoes provided to the British forces. [8]
As times changed and technology advanced, Crockett & Jones continued to evolve and absorb the changes necessary to make it competitive, updated but still maintain the same high quality it always has.
Family Involvement
In 1947, the grandson of Charles Jones, Richard Jones joined the family company. In 1977 he was appointed Managing director and is still involved with it today as he is the acting Chairman. Richard was Richards son also became involved with the family business in 1977. [9]
Company Today
Jonathan Jones says “We're flat out at the moment and our biggest problem is managing that demand and finding the skilled labour we need to do it."[10] Although previously the majority of the shoes were sold near Northampton, today the majority of the shoes are being exported worldwide[11] for the world to experience Charles Jones and James Crockett legacy. Today the company still maintains the high quality, reliable, Goodyear Welted shoes that they did in 1879. The majority of the prices for these well made shoes ranges upward from approximately $400 to around $550. The newest uproar surrounding the company is the latest James Bond film, Skyfall which features James Bond, played by Daniel Craig wearing the famous Crockett & Jones shoes.
Awards
Crockett & Jones received the Diploma D’Onoro for their designs in 1911.[12]
- ^ Leitch, Luke (July 12, 2012). "Mencyclopaedia: Crockett & Jones". Telegraph. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Leitch, Luke (July 13, 2012). "Mencyclopaedia: Crockett & Jones". Telegraph. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Leitch, Luke (July 12, 2012). "Mencyclopedia: Crockett & Jones". Telegraph. Retrieved Nov. 19 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Leitch, Luke (July 13, 2012). "Mencyclopedia: Crockett & Jones". Telegraph. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Crockett & Jones". Retrieved Nov. 19, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)