Lexi Webster
R.M.Williams is an Australian brand that has been crafting boots since 1932. The company was founded by Reginald Murray (RM) Williams, who learned his leather-working skills in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia. RM's journeys inspired him to create durable products that could withstand the harsh conditions of the Australian outback. The brand's iconic boots are handcrafted from a single piece of leather and have been worn by Australian politicians and given as gifts to foreign leaders. RM Williams has expanded its manufacturing in Australia, investing in new equipment and creating local job opportunities. The company remains committed to its Australian roots and continues to produce its iconic boots in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing location | Australia |
| Manufacturing process | Handcrafted, 80+ handheld processes |
| Materials | Leather |
| Year of establishment | 1932 |
| Founder | Reginald Murray (RM) Williams |
| Headquarters | Salisbury, South Australia |
| Number of retail stores | 64 in Australia, 7 in other countries |
| Number of employees | 400 at the Salisbury workshop, 500 across Australia |
| Repairability | Fully repairable |
| Return policy | Free returns within 60 days for online purchases |
| Refund processing time | Up to 10 business days |
| Collection options | Click and collect available within 24 hours |
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What You'll Learn
RM Williams' history and inspiration
RM Williams, born Reginald Murray Williams, was an Australian bushman and entrepreneur. Born in 1908, Williams left home at 13 to travel through the Australian outback. At 18, he started working as a camel driver and spent three years traversing the Australian desert, living with Aboriginal Australians and learning survival skills.
Williams learned his leather-working skills from an Aboriginal stockman called Michael George Smith, also known as "Dollar Mick" Smith. Together, they developed the distinctive design of the RM Williams boot, a variation on the Chelsea boot crafted from one piece of leather. In 1932, Williams started selling his saddles to a wealthy pastoralist, Sir Sidney Kidman, to fund his son's illness treatment. With the money earned, he set up a small factory in his father's shed in Adelaide.
Williams' boots were unique to the market when introduced. They were crafted from a single piece of leather, stitched at the rear, with some models featuring an elastic side. The boots were designed for hardworking Australians, to withstand the harsh conditions of the Australian outback. In addition to his iconic boots, Williams crafted Australia's first pair of denim jeans over 75 years ago, inspired by the style of jeans worn by ranchers and cowboys of the American West.
RM Williams has since expanded its product line to include jeans, belts, and other leather goods. The company continues to invest in sustainable local manufacturing and has recently introduced new training opportunities for Australian craftspeople, including the Industrial Sewing certification in conjunction with TAFE South Australia.
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Handcrafted using 80 processes
RM Williams boots are handcrafted using 80 processes. The boots are made in Australia, inspired by the harsh conditions of the Australian outback. The founder, Reginald Murray Williams, travelled through the outback at the age of 13 and was determined to create the perfect footwear for hardworking Australians.
RM Williams boots are made from a single piece of leather and crafted by 80 pairs of hands. The brand's artisans perform multiple processes on a single pair of boots, from 'clicking' the premium leather using a sharp steel blade to twin-needle stitching the uppers. The leather sole is finely sanded, and the signature red-gum stain is applied by hand.
The boots are handcrafted by skilled artisans, and the construction is a true awe-factor. The leather sole is attached through a 'Goodyear' welt process, stitched to the boot through a strip of leather along the sole's edge. This construction technique is known as the world's best method for making soles waterproof, strong, and flexible.
The process of hand burnishing was taught to the team by an Italian footwear expert. This technique involves patiently buffing and polishing the hide to bring out the rich colours and unique characteristics of the leather.
The boots are crafted to last, employing quality materials and time-honoured skills. The brand's commitment to enduring quality results in a lifetime of adventures for their customers and their trusted boots.
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The company's expansion
R.M.Williams is an Australian footwear and clothing company founded by Reginald Murray "R.M." Williams. The company has been committed to crafting durable and high-quality products since its inception in 1932. Over the years, R.M.Williams has expanded its operations and solidified its global presence.
In 1988, R.M.Williams sold the business to Bennett & Fisher, but the company faced financial troubles and changed hands several times over the next few decades. In 2003, Ken Cowley assumed full ownership of the company, and in 2013, he announced plans to sell it for A$100 million.
In October 2020, Andrew Forrest's Tattarang investment company acquired R.M.Williams for A$190 million. This acquisition marked a significant turning point for the company's expansion. Tattarang invested in new equipment and expanded the brand's Adelaide workshop by 13,500 square meters, creating a dedicated manufacturing line for men's and women's boots. This expansion resulted in increased production capacity and the addition of 350 new jobs across Australia.
The company's commitment to local manufacturing and craftsmanship is evident in its continued investment in South Australia. The expansion of the Adelaide workshop and the introduction of new training opportunities for young Australians showcase R.M.Williams' dedication to supporting local talent and stimulating economic growth in the region.
R.M.Williams has also expanded its global retail presence, with 65 stores in Australia, 2 in New Zealand, 3 in the USA, and 3 in the UK, in addition to over 900 stockists worldwide. The company has also opened flagship stores in prominent locations like Sydney and Rockhampton, showcasing its strategic expansion within Australia and its commitment to global growth.
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Local manufacturing jobs
RM Williams has been crafting boots since 1932, employing quality materials and time-honoured skills to create products that are worthy of their iconic name. RM Williams' boots are handcrafted from one piece of leather and with over 80 handheld processes. The company has always been committed to creating beautifully crafted products suitable for the harsh conditions of the land in Australia.
RM Williams has recently expanded its manufacturing operations in Australia, with a particular focus on its women's boot line. The company has invested in new equipment at its workshop in Salisbury, Adelaide, creating 70 local manufacturing jobs and stimulating employment opportunities in the northern suburbs. This expansion follows the company's previous success in creating 350 new jobs across Australia since late 2020.
The new production line is part of a 13,500 square metre expansion of the brand's Adelaide workshop, increasing the capacity for leather craft, apparel, and footwear repairs. The investment has allowed for separate, dedicated manufacturing lines for men's and women's boots, handcrafted in the traditional RM Williams production process and providing increased capacity to produce all styles.
RM Williams is committed to investing in sustainable local manufacturing and supporting new careers in Australian craftsmanship. The company has also introduced new training opportunities for young Australians, including the Leather Cert III course and the Industrial Sewing certification in conjunction with TAFE South Australia. These initiatives not only create jobs but also provide valuable skills and opportunities for the locals and young aspiring craftsmen and women interested in a career in manufacturing.
RM Williams' expansion and commitment to local manufacturing have been praised by the South Australian Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison. The minister expressed her pleasure in seeing one of Australia's most iconic brands continue to invest in sustainable local manufacturing and support new careers and training opportunities in South Australia.
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RM Williams' repair services
RM Williams offers repair services to help preserve your boots for "years of faithful, comfortable wear". The brand has been crafting boots since 1932, employing quality materials and time-honoured skills to make products worthy of their iconic name. RM Williams boots are fully repairable, and the company offers a range of repair services to restore your boots to their former glory. The estimated processing time for repairs is 6-8 weeks, and click and collect is available at a range of RM Williams stores.
The soles of RM Williams boots gradually wear down, and the stitching comes undone or the soles tear and develop holes. RM Williams offers a resole service, replacing the soles with original RM Williams full-length soles or half soles. They also protect leather soles with metal toe plates and thin non-slip rubber overlays. The heels on RM Williams boots tend to wear down at the rear, affecting the wearer's balance and posture and eventually causing foot problems. RM Williams offers a re-heel service, repairing or replacing the leather heel stacks and replacing the rubber heel caps.
RM Williams also offers a stretching service to accelerate the process of wearing in your boots. They can replace individual components such as elastics, tugs, and pull tabs, or they can replace the full set to restore your boots. In addition, they replace worn insoles with new RM Williams Comfort insoles and leather heel beds, as well as offering custom-crafted leather insoles.
RM Williams also repairs leather that is torn or cracked using patches and special fillers. They can recolour or refinish severely discoloured leather and polish leather to buff out light scuffing.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, RM Williams boots are handcrafted in Australia. The company was founded in 1932 by R. M. Williams, who learned his leather-working skills in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia.
Yes, RM Williams boots continue to be handcrafted in Australia using traditional methods and employing local craftsmanship.
RM Williams boots are made in the company's workshop in Salisbury, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia.
RM Williams boots are known for their high quality and durability. The boots are handcrafted from a single piece of leather and go through over 70 to 80 hand-held processes. The company has a commitment to enduring quality, and the boots are fully repairable.
