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TOG 24 COMPANY HISTORY The company was founded in 1958 and has been located in Heckmondwike in the West Riding of Yorkshire ever since. Founded by the present Chairman, Mr. Donald Ward, it was originally established as a company specializing in the repair and supply of sewing machines. Around 1962 Mr Ward noticed an opening in sewing boot and sport shoe uppers for PUMA which eventually led to the production of the Mileta range of sport shoes which were designed by the famous Yorkshire and Great Britain athlete and World Record Holder, Mr. Derek Ibbotson. Sports bags printed with Football Club names and motifs were an invention of the company and became the main product line for many years. A Mileta football clothing range was introduced in the early 1970's and the company moved to the new larger premises in the town which were officially opened by the World Champion football team, Brazil, including World Footballer of the Year, Pele. Shoe sales continued to develop with the introduction of the TC6. This was a sport shoe designed to help children learn how to play football and was designed and endorsed by the Leeds and England full-back, Terry Cooper. The shoe division was eventually sold to Mitre Sports of Huddersfield who wished to extend their production capacity and were a major customer. The company invented and patented 'Identitabs' in the early 1970's. These were stocking tie-ups with a number attached to aid player identification. They were pioneered by Leeds United in the 'Glory Years' of the early 1970's when worn by such greats as Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton, Peter Lorimer… Identitabs were worn at numerous International matches, FA Cup Finals and Rugby League finals and became a huge success for the company. The company then diversified into exports which accounted for over 80% of turnover by the late 1970's, including sales to the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Expansion was halted by the huge increase in the value of the pound in the late 1970's and the company was forced to concentrate more on the home market. In the mid 1970's the company purchased Permuta Plastics Ltd. which supplied airline bags to the World's Airways. The business was conducted from a suite at the Piccadilly Hotel in central London and was very successful until the early 1980's when most customers switched production from the UK to the Far East. The company supplied amongst others - British Airways, TWA, Pan Am, South African Airways, BOAC, BEA, Dan Air, Alitalia, Air France, KLM, Sabena... In the early 1980's the company purchased the TOG 24 brand. Products supplied initially were fibre pile jackets, but the company soon diversified into Polartec® fleece and GORE-TEX® jackets, many of which are still produced in the company's Heckmondwike factory. For many years the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races were sponsored by TOG 24, as was the Tall Ships Race. Specialist cold weather equipment has been produced in our factory for the renowned Arctic explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and for numerous subsequent expeditions all over the world, to a variety of destinations, including Everest. TOG 24 is now also the official cold weather clothing supplier to the Team GB Luge team. In the mid 1980's the company specialised in the production of sportswear and bags for many world brands, including Nike and Burberry. With increasing competition from the Far East, the company took the decision to go into retail for itself, selling its products direct to the customer. The company had long had a factory shop and realised the potential if serious factory outlet centres were to be introduced into the UK. In the mid 1990's this happened and stores were opened in all major UK developments. The company has since also opened a number of High Street stores and further expansion onto the high street and into European retail and beyond is planned in the future. TOG 24 is now one of the only major performance outerwear brands that is still manufacturing products in Great Britain.
Corporate and promotional clothing does not have to be restricted to dayglo orange waterproofs and baseball caps. TOG 24 supply a wide range of clothing to suit all professions, ranging from Environmental Health Officers to TV film units. We offer a comprehensive choice of breathable and waterproof clothing that can be own branded with the customer logo or company name. In some cases special colours can be supplied. Minimum order numbers are minimal, as are delivery times. It is easy to order, and samples are always produced prior to full production. If you are an enlightened employer who wants to provide clothing that will protect your employees from all weathers, hot, cold, or wet, then contact Michael Wood at TOG 24 on the following:- Tel: 01924 409311 |
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