HERITAGE
We have a history
We have a rich past. A proud past. We honour it not only for how it defines us today, but also for the way it points to our future.
We go by the name of the man who started it all way back in 1915, and who steered this company to become the most formidable fabrics house in the business.
And after more than nine decades, and more fashion eras and design statements than you can imagine, we have a comprehensive grasp on what makes this industry successful.
Been there, done that
- 1915 Charles Leslie Parsons establishes Charles Parsons & Co. at Kent House, Liverpool Street, Sydney with plant and machinery worth 270 pounds, plus outstanding orders and invoices for 842 pounds.
- 1918 - Charles Parsons takes over William Heron & Co, Woollen Merchants. This was the first of more than 50 acquisitions.
- 1930 The Great Depression and faced with losses and bad debts, the Company knows it will struggle to meet the payroll. Charles L Parsons resigns himself to laying off members of his 20 full time staff. Notices are served with regret, yet workers are reinstated when all remaining staff offer to work on reduced pay.
- “We’ve got a fine team here. If we’re going to go down, we’ll go down with the colours flying.”
Full wages restored by end 1931. - 1930’s & 40’s - Charles Parsons continued to experience sustained growth through the next 2 decades, moving to larger premises and building an infrastructure to support its continued growth.
- By 1955, Charles Parsons has operations in every mainland state. Charles Riviere Parsons was becoming a respected force in the industry and by 1958, had assumed the role of Managing Director.
- In the 1960’s, Charles Parsons pioneered an in-house laboratory to comprehensively test fabrics and began exporting to New Zealand.
- 1972 saw the company diversify into homewares goods which remains a major focus of Charles Parsons today.
- In 1975, Charles Parsons International was established in Hong Kong.
- 1980’s - Charles Parsons continues to expand and diversify throughout the 80’s and successfully combines the strength and character born of its family owned origins with entrepreneurial and competitive spirit on a world scale.
Charles Vincent Parsons concentrates more on his role as Group Managing Director. - 1999 – Charles Parsons Office opens in Shanghai providing a strategically important presence in China. It still operates as a world class conversion and manufacturing base for the company’s operations.
- 2006 - Charles Parsons buys S&R Fashions, a successful garments company as well as key account management for well know labels including Witchery, Sportsgirl and Sussan.
- 2009 - Charles Parsons acquired Line 7 a brand which began in 1963, making wet weather clothing for sailors. The brand has provided clothing for crews in the America's cup, Round the World yacht races and the Olympics. Over the years, the brand has grown to become a NZ icon in retail lifestyle, marine and agricultural clothing markets.
