Hunter

In 1856 Mr Henry Lee Norris, an American entrepreneur, landed on Scottish soil and created North British Rubber Company (which much later became known as Hunter Boot Ltd). In the beginning there were only four people working for the company, by 1875 the team had grown to 600 members of staff. Hunter's most famous welly, the original Green wellington, was made over 50 years ago in the winter of 1955. In 1977, having continued to supply wellies to the Royal Households, Hunter was awarded a Royal Warrant from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. This was shortly followed, in 1986, by a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen. Providing great recognition for their work in keeping some very important feet dry!

Hunter enjoyed a record season in summer 2007 but, despite this, remained faced with major financial challenges regarding production. High manufacturing and fuel costs that contributed to the company's move into administration in 2006 remained prominent and, like many UK manufacturing businesses, Hunter was forced to consider whether it was commercially viable to keep making boots in the UK. The company also had to negotiate a volatile relationship with its landlord and an expensive and inefficient 96-year-old factory. Eventually, alternative supply sources were sought and developed in Europe and the Far East and plans were made to exit the Dumfries plant and relocate the company HQ to Edinburgh. This move was finally made in September 2008. Today, Hunter remains the preferred welly brand for those who like to work hard and play hard - there's a great range of boots to suit welly wearers all over the world - from the Royal Family to festival-goers, working farmers and landed gentry alike.