Leslie Massey
RM Williams is an Australian footwear and clothing company, best known for its handcrafted riding boots. The company was founded by Reginald Murray RM Williams in 1932 and has changed hands several times since. In 2020, the company was acquired by Tattarang, an investment firm owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest, returning it to Australian ownership. The Forrest family has expressed their commitment to supporting the brand's growth and Australian craftsmanship. However, the brand's shift towards urban fashion has received mixed responses from rural customers, who consider RM Williams a quintessential part of the Australian outback lifestyle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Owner | Andrew and Nicola Forrest |
| Tattarang | |
| Previous Owner | L Catterton |
| LVMH | |
| IFM Investors | |
| Hugh Jackman | |
| Ken Cowley | |
| Kerry Stokes | |
| Bennett & Fisher | |
| Founder | Reginald Murray "RM" Williams |
| Headquarters | Salisbury, South Australia |
| Retail Stores | 65 in Australia, 2 in New Zealand, 3 in the USA, 3 in the UK |
| Stockists | Over 900 globally |
| Employees | 800+ |
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What You'll Learn
- RM Williams is currently owned by Tattarang, an Australian investment company
- RM Williams was founded by Reginald Murray Williams in 1932
- RM Williams was previously owned by Ken Cowley
- RM Williams has expanded its product range to include women's boots
- RM Williams clothing and boots sales have declined over the years
RM Williams is currently owned by Tattarang, an Australian investment company
RM Williams is an Australian footwear and clothing company, best known for its Chelsea boots. The company was founded by Reginald Murray "RM" Williams in 1932. RM Williams learned his leather-working skills in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia from a stockman called Michael George Smith, commonly known as "Dollar Mick".
Andrew and Nicola Forrest are Officers of the Order of Australia. Andrew grew up on his family's Minderoo Station in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, while Nicola grew up on a property in the Central West of New South Wales. The Forrests are committed to supporting the growth of RM Williams and ensuring the livelihoods of their employees. Andrew has expressed a desire to see the organisation grow with "Australian craftsmanship, Australian quality, [and] Australian reputation".
RM Williams has undergone several changes of ownership since its founding. In 1988, RM Williams sold the business to Bennett & Fisher, a South Australian stock and station agency. In 1993, the business went into receivership, and ownership passed to RM Williams' friend Ken Cowley, who co-owned the company with Australian business mogul Kerry Stokes. In 2003, Cowley became the sole owner of RM Williams by buying out Stokes' and other shareholders' stakes. In 2014, the company was acquired by L Capital, an affiliate of the international LVMH group, in partnership with minority stakeholders IFM Investors and actor Hugh Jackman.
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RM Williams was founded by Reginald Murray Williams in 1932
Williams' most successful products were handcrafted riding boots. These boots were unique when they were introduced to the market, as they consisted of a single piece of leather that was stitched at the rear of the boot. Dollar Mick and Williams together developed the distinctive design that became a cornerstone of the business. In addition to Dollar Mick, Williams employed several Adnyamathanha people from the mission. The Adnyamathanha people had a long tradition of making clothing and water bags from animal skins, sewn with bone needles.
Since its founding, RM Williams has changed hands several times. In 1988, Williams sold the business to the South Australian stock and station agents Bennett & Fisher. In 1993, the business went into receivership, and RM Williams was placed under the ownership of Williams' long-time friend Ken Cowley, who acted in partnership with Australian business mogul Kerry Stokes. In 2003, Cowley assumed full ownership of RM Williams when he bought out Stokes' and other shareholders' stakes. In 2014, the company was bought by L Catterton, the largest consumer-focused private equity firm in the world, in conjunction with minority stakeholders IFM Investors and actor Hugh Jackman. In 2020, Tattarang, an investment company owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest, acquired RM Williams for $190 million, bringing the brand back into Australian hands.
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RM Williams was previously owned by Ken Cowley
RM Williams is an Australian footwear and clothing company, best known for its chelsea boots. The company was founded by Reginald Murray "RM" Williams in 1932. RM Williams was previously owned by Ken Cowley, a long-time friend of the founder.
In 1988, RM Williams sold the business to Bennett & Fisher, a South Australian stock and station agency. However, in 1993, this business went into receivership due to concerns from banks about $16 million in debts. As a result, RM Williams came under the ownership of Ken Cowley, who partnered with Australian business mogul Kerry Stokes. Together with his family, Cowley presided over RM Williams for 10 years. In 2003, Cowley became the sole owner of RM Williams when he bought out Stokes' and other shareholders' stakes for $12.5 million.
Under Cowley's ownership, RM Williams thrived, and the company continued to produce its iconic handcrafted riding boots. In March 2013, the Cowley family announced their intention to sell the company, valuing it at A$100 million. This decision was made to assess "external commercial growth and expansion plans".
In 2014, RM Williams was acquired by L Capital, a subsidiary of the international LVMH group, in partnership with minority stakeholders IFM Investors and actor Hugh Jackman. The company then changed hands several times before being purchased by Andrew and Nicola Forrest's private investment group, Tattarang, in October 2020. The Forrest family expressed their commitment to supporting the growth of RM Williams and ensuring the livelihoods of its employees.
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RM Williams has expanded its product range to include women's boots
RM Williams is an Australian footwear and clothing company, founded by Reginald Murray "RM" Williams in 1932. The company is currently owned by Tattarang, an investment firm owned by mining magnate Andrew Forrest and his wife, Nicola. RM Williams is known for its handcrafted riding boots, which are made using 70 hand processes and a single piece of leather. The company has expanded its product range over the years to include women's boots, offering a variety of styles and designs that cater to different needs and occasions.
RM Williams has a rich history that dates back to the South Australian outback, where RM Williams learned leather-working skills from a stockman named Michael George Smith, also known as "Dollar Mick". This knowledge formed the foundation of the company, which initially focused on creating saddles and riding boots. Over time, RM Williams expanded its product range to include various footwear and clothing items, catering to both men and women.
The women's boots collection by RM Williams showcases the brand's commitment to quality, versatility, and style. The range includes iconic designs such as the Lady Yearling boot, known for its blend of refined style and sturdy construction. The boot is offered in a variety of tones and leather types, ensuring that it suits a wide range of aesthetics and practical needs. Another popular design is the Adelaide boot, which embodies a relaxed and casual style of Chelsea boot. With its low-rise ankle and tapered toe shape, the Adelaide boot exudes a sleek and elegant profile.
RM Williams also offers women's black boots, which are crafted with exceptional quality and combine versatility and sophistication. The collection features refined Chelsea boot designs, including the stylish and comfortable low-heeled Adelaide boot and the elegant Millicent boot with its needlepoint toe and Cuban heel. The brand also provides women with the option to choose between leather-soled and rubber-soled Chelsea boots, allowing for both classic appeal and flexible durability.
RM Williams women's boots are designed to be durable and long-lasting. The brand recommends regular care and maintenance, such as routine cleaning with a soft brush or damp cloth, to preserve the appearance and durability of the leather boots. Additionally, the boots can be resoled when needed, extending their lifespan and retaining their unique characteristics.
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RM Williams clothing and boots sales have declined over the years
RM Williams, the Australian footwear and clothing company, has seen a decline in sales over the years. The company, founded by Reginald Murray "RM" Williams, is best known for its Chelsea boots for men and women. While RM Williams has a long history of producing quality handcrafted boots, there have been concerns about a decline in the quality of their products in recent years.
The company underwent a brand change in recent years, shifting from an outback staple to dress boots and shirts. This change in positioning may have contributed to the decline in sales, as traditional customers felt betrayed by the brand's new urban fashion focus. The brand's rural customers, who considered RM Williams a quintessential part of the Australian lifestyle, were particularly disappointed.
In addition to the brand change, there have been concerns about the quality of RM Williams boots. Some customers have taken to online forums to express their disappointment with the decline in quality control and changes in the construction of the boots. For example, some have noted that the Comfort Craftsman style, which uses thinner leather and synthetic materials, is inferior to the classic Craftsman style. Others have mentioned issues with the heel stacks and the build quality not being as good as it used to be.
The price of RM Williams boots has also been a factor in the sales decline. Julie Newton, a clothing store owner in Katherine, Northern Territory, stopped selling the iconic boots two years ago because they became too expensive for most people working in rural areas. She also mentioned that the brand's shift towards urban fashion made it less appealing to her customer base.
The decline in sales for RM Williams clothing and boots is a concern for the company and its new owners, Tattarang, an investment company owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest. The Forrest family has expressed their commitment to supporting the growth of RM Williams and ensuring the livelihoods of their employees. They aim to build on the legacy of Australian craftsmanship, quality, and reputation associated with the brand. However, it remains to be seen if the new ownership can win back the trust of rural customers and reverse the sales decline.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, RM Williams is Australian owned.
RM Williams is owned by Tattarang, an investment company owned by mining magnate Andrew Forrest and his wife Nicola Forrest.
RM Williams returned to Australian ownership in 2020 when Tattarang acquired 100% of the company.
Before Tattarang, RM Williams was owned by L Catterton, the largest consumer-focused private equity firm in the world.
RM Williams is best known for its handcrafted riding boots for men and women, but it also sells clothing, accessories, and Australian-made socks.
