| THE STORY OF BEARDMORE The history of my family and that of Beardmore have been closely intertwined with the leather industry for over 200 years. The common bond has always been the allure and attraction of quality leather goods. Both sides of my family the Dawkins and Heller families - have been active in the leather industry during that period. Leather has been an international commodity for most of this time which has allowed us to build up true expertise in product, contacts and sourcing. I am proud to share some of this long history with you. It is the foundation of the knowledge-based enthusiasm and innovation we focus on today.
Jane Dawkins
President
Beardmore Leathers
Better Leathers since 1844 | 1799 - The first Dawkins ancestors settle in Dundas, ON Canada and start producing leather. | 1914 - Beardmore is established as the largest tannery in the British Empire and is critical to the War effort - the Hellers are busy producing leather for Austria. | 1967 - Fred Dawkins & Karin Heller are married. | | 1818 - George L. Beardmore born in England. | 1931 - The Heller family builds a modern leather factory on the banks of the Elbe River. | 1969 - Frank Heller dies. Fred Dawkins and Ron Heller, (brothers-in-law) take over Frank Heller & Company. | | 1843 - The Heller family opens a leather factory in Europe (now within the Czech Republic). | 1915 - 25% interest in Beardmore (from the estate of one of four brothers) is sold for $ 1.5 million. | 1980 - Dawkins and Heller families open Canada's largest leather store. | | 1844 - G. L. Beardmore opens the first Beardmore Leather operation in Hamilton, ON Canada. | 1944 - Beardmore's 100th anniversary. | 1986 - Maple Leaf closes the Beardmore plant in Acton, ON. | | 1865 - Beardmore moves to Acton, ON Canada - later to be known as Canada's "Leather Town". | 1945 - Beardmore is acquired by Canada Packers (later Maple Leaf foods) - at least 10 members of the Dawkins family employed at Beardmore. | 1987 - Frank Heller & Co. produces a record 18 million square feet of leather. | | 1876 - Beardmore opens a second leather operation in Bracebridge (Muskoka), ON Canada. | 1946 - Heller business closes in the political turmoil of Eastern Europe. | 1989 - Frank Heller and Co is sold. | | 1882 - The first known member of the Dawkins family joins Beardmore & Co. - Bracebridge, ON location | 1949 - Frank and Charles Heller join Beardmore & Co. In Acton, ON. | 1998 - Fred and Jane Dawkins acquire the Beardmore name and trademarks from Maple Leaf Foods and begin operation as a manufacturer/supplier for the Promotional & Premium Incentives Industry. | | 1900 - Beardmore's Acton location reaches over 1 million square feet of floor space. | 1961 - Frank Heller & Co. founded in Acton, ON. | |
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Mission Statement:
Beardmore Leathers is dedicated to providing our clients with a distinctive edge in their reward and promotional programs. We are committed to use our history, expertise and product knowledge in the most energetic and creative ways to ensure unique, value based products that send a message of quality, innovation and distinction. There is no better medium than leather and it is our goal to ensure that there is no better leather source than Beardmore! THINK LEATHER - THINK BEARDMORE
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