Leslie Massey
Akubra, the Australian hat manufacturer, is now owned by Tattarang, a private investment company run by Andrew and Nicola Forrest. The Forrests purchased the company from the Keir family, who had owned and operated Akubra for five generations. The Keir family sold the company to the Forrests because they wanted to entrust the company to custodians who would protect and invest in it. The Forrests have committed to protecting and enhancing Akubra's legacy, ensuring the company remains Australian-owned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current owner | Tattarang |
| Previous owner | The Keir family |
| Year acquired by current owner | 2023 |
| Year founded | 1876 |
| Place founded | Tasmania, Australia |
| Place of manufacturing | Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Akubra was acquired by Tattarang in November 2023
Akubra, the Australian hat manufacturer, was acquired by Tattarang in November 2023. The acquisition ensures that the 147-year-old company remains Australian-owned and committed to local manufacturing. Tattarang is a private investment group owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest, who are focused on protecting and preserving iconic Australian brands.
The Forrests expressed their gratitude to the Keir family, who had owned and operated Akubra for five generations, for entrusting them with a unique Australian legacy. They also emphasised their commitment to ensuring the growth of Australian manufacturing and creating new jobs.
Former Akubra managing director Stephen Keir cited the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the main drivers of the sale. The Keir family chose Tattarang as the new custodian of the company because of their investment in local manufacturing and their belief that they would protect and invest in Akubra.
With this acquisition, Tattarang adds another iconic Australian brand to its portfolio, continuing its legacy of preserving Australian-owned companies and fostering their growth. Akubra, known for its handcrafted hats, has a long history in Australia, dating back to 1876. The company has produced hats for various purposes, from fashion to military use, and has become an enduring symbol of Australian culture.
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The company was previously owned by the Keir family for five generations
The Australian hat manufacturer Akubra was owned and operated continuously by five generations of the Keir family before being acquired by Tattarang in November 2023. The Keir family's ownership of the company spanned more than a century, with Stephen Keir IV serving as the outgoing chairman of the Akubra Board of Directors.
The company was founded in Tasmania by Benjamin Dunkerley in 1876, and Stephen Keir I joined the company in 1904. Akubra has a rich history, having produced hats for Australian Olympic teams and delivered over two million hats to the Australian Armed Forces. The company has also expanded its reach by featuring in classic films.
During World War I, Akubra manufactured slouch hats for the Australian army, finding that rabbit fur was more durable than previous woollen felt hats. This tradition continued, and by 2016, the company had produced an estimated two million slouch hats for the Australian military. In 1919, the company moved to bigger premises in Bourke Street, Sydney, and by the 1920s, it employed hundreds of people.
Akubra's association with the Keir family has left a significant mark on the company's history and identity. In the 1930s, the Keir family commissioned several artworks by Australian artist Walter Jardine for reproduction on Akubra posters and hatboxes. One of these paintings now features on the brand mark of their Riverina hat style.
The sale of the company to Tattarang, a private investment group owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest, was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to former managing director Stephen Keir. The Keir family chose Tattarang as the new custodians of the company because of their commitment to protecting and investing in Australian brands.
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Akubra hats are manufactured in Kempsey, New South Wales
The name "Akubra" is derived from an Aboriginal word (possibly Birpai) for a head covering. The company is famous for its bush hats made of rabbit fur felt with wide brims, which are commonly worn in rural Australia. However, they also manufacture a wide range of hat styles, including fedoras, bowlers, and trilbies.
In 2023, Akubra was acquired by Andrew and Nicola Forrest's private investment group Tattarang. The Forrests were committed to preserving iconic Australian brands and ensuring that Akubra remained Australian-owned. They also wanted to protect and enhance the company's legacy, which included supplying hats to the Australian Olympic team and over two million hats to the Australian Armed Forces.
The manufacturing process for an Akubra hat takes six weeks and involves 162 steps, with each hat handled 200 times and passing through 60 pairs of hands. The company has been a major employer in the Kempsey region, with about 120 team members.
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The brand name was registered in 1912
The brand name "Akubra" was registered in 1912, though the company's history dates back to the late 19th century. Benjamin Dunkerley, an English immigrant and skilled hatter, founded the company in Tasmania, Australia, in 1876. Dunkerley hailed from a family of cotton weavers and hatters and had expertise in hat-making machinery.
In 1911, Dunkerley Hat Mills Pty Ltd was registered, with 19 employees and seven shareholders. The company's chairman, Arthur P. Stewart, distributed and sold the hats produced at the factory through his store in York Street, Sydney, as well as to other retailers in the city.
On August 7, 1912, Stewart registered the name "Akubra" as trademark 13462. The term "Akubra" is believed to derive from an Aboriginal word (possibly Birpai) for a head covering. Since its registration, the brand name "Akubra" has become synonymous with Australian culture and craftsmanship.
Over the years, Akubra has continued to expand and evolve. During World War I, the company manufactured slouch hats for the Australian army, finding that rabbit fur was more durable than previous woollen felt. In the 1920s, Akubra was known for its fashion hats, such as Fedoras, and by the 1950s, the company had expanded its range to include licences to produce Stetson hats in Australia.
Akubra has a rich history of supplying hats to the Australian Armed Forces, delivering over two million hats, and has also featured in classic films. The brand has become an iconic symbol of Australia, with its hats handcrafted for toughness and designed to last a lifetime of adventure.
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Akubra has supplied hats to the Australian armed forces
Akubra is an Australian hat manufacturer that has supplied hats to the Australian armed forces for over a century. The company was founded in Tasmania by Benjamin Dunkerley in 1876 and has since become an iconic brand known for its high-quality craftsmanship and durable hats.
During World War I, Akubra manufactured slouch hats for the Australian army. The slouch hats, made of rabbit fur, were found to be more hard-wearing than the previous woollen felt hats. Akubra continued to supply these hats to the Australian military during World War II, with most of the company's production directed towards the military.
In 1974, the business relocated from Sydney to larger premises in Kempsey, where it continues to manufacture hats today. Akubra remains a major employer for the region, with hundreds of employees. In 2015, Akubra renewed its contract with the Australian Defence Force, becoming the sole manufacturer of slouch hats. By that year, the company had produced an estimated two million slouch hats for the Australian military.
Akubra's hats are not just limited to military use but are also popular among civilians in both rural and urban areas of Australia. The company offers a wide range of hat styles, including fedora, homburg, bowler, pork pie, and trilby. Akubra's commitment to quality and Australian craftsmanship has made it a symbol of national pride and an integral part of the country's cultural identity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Akubra is Australian-owned and has been since its founding in Tasmania in 1876.
Akubra is owned by Tattarang, a private investment group run by Andrew and Nicola Forrest.
Tattarang acquired Akubra in November 2023.
