Family owned textile company Charles Parsons & Co has reached a milestone as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, no mean feat in today’s economic climate.
Established in 1915 by Charles Leslie Parsons, the wholesale supplier has made it through the Great Depression and two World Wars, and currently employs more than 350 staff in offices around Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong and Fiji.
According to chairman Vicki Parsons, the success of Charles Parsons can be attributed to its uniqueness as a company.
“We have always tailored global textile creativity and innovation to our clients’ needs, striven to build trusted and supportive relationships with industry partners, and managed the business today with an eye to the future, continuing to evolve,” she explains.
“Having survived the economic crisis of the early 1930s, the company continued to flourish under a strong leadership that recognised the need to adapt to a changing world and changing customer needs. This capacity to evolve was, and still is, a major key to Charles Parsons’ success and resilience.”
Over the years the company has grown mainly through acquisitions, with the first in 1915 when Parson bought out his partner, clothing manufacturer Archibald John Hefren.
Throughout the 70s and 80s it continued to expand into homewares and interiors, supplying fabrics for drapery upholstery, lining and home furnishings to retailers, designers and manufacturers. The company also established a presence in Hong Kong.
One of Charles Parsons’ major acquisitions includes supplier of cushions, napery, outdoor and home furnishings Rapee Cushions in 1988, followed by KST, and S+R Fashions in 2006, which features labels such as Sportsgirl, Sussan and French Connection.
In 2009 the company also took over Line 7, an iconic New Zealand wet weather clothing brand. Other acquisitions include Darche in 2012, Ella Blue in 2013 and Eclipse textiles in 2014.
Charles Parsons anticipates it will remain at the forefront of the Australian textile industry and is ready for the next 100 years.
“It is important to have a thorough knowledge of the business you are involved in and apply it well―in other words, stick with what you know and do well and purchase additional knowledge and resources as required,” Parsons adds.
“The importance of listening and being able to provide what it is your customers are after and always striving to improve rather than resting on your laurels or becoming complacent, be open to new ideas, ways of doing things, and surround yourself with good people.”
By Marion Gerritsen
