CORGI HOSIERY LTD. HISTORY Mr. Rhys Jones, who hailed from Pembrokeshire, as like many traders in those far off distant days, started life as a travelling salesman, covering the small hamlets of West Wales. In 1893, he opened a small warehouse shop in Wind Street, to be called 'Ford Mills' ('Ford' being an abbreviation taken from the name of the Town) - From this centre, he supplied items of drapery to shops within a radius of twenty miles or so, delivering the wares by horse and cart. From humble background grew to what was to become a highly successful thriving family manufacturing business, offering employment to many local people. The enterprising Rhys Jones, purchased a number of second hand 'Griswald' hand operated circular knitting machines and started production of 'thigh' high woollen socks for colliers, known locally as 'Sane Gwaith' ('work stockings'), and following on with a similar product of finer quality, known as 'Sane Parch' (meaning 'best stockings'), for wear to Chapel on Sundays. Reputation of high quality products increased demand and soon, with advent of the automobile, distribution extended into the valleys of East and Mid Wales. Upon his death, his son - John Jones - continued to operate the business, to be succeeded in turn by the grand daughter - Enid Jones - who in 1935, married Mr. Glyn Jones, a teacher by profession; resigning his appointment, he took up the management of the business, along with his wife. Concentrated war effort in 1939/45, involved contracts for production of woollen 'army' grey hose and 'airforce' blue quarter hose, for both the British and Allied Forces - the work force being doubled to meet demand, along with installation of new automatic 'Bentley Comet' hose machines. Whilst on a buying visit to a Bedford factory, Mr Glyn Jones observed the adaptability of the hand operated 'Griswald' machines, and upon his return, experimented and taught one of his employees the design and production of what was later to become known - 'Argyle' - Socks. A local gents outfitter, D.C. Davies of Wind Street, purchased a dozen pairs and in 1946, a close friend of the proprietor, whilst on holiday, was attracted to the product, taking a number of pairs back with him to Dublin, for retail. Within weeks, a buying team from the world famous American Stores - 'Brookes Bros' - seeing the socks on sale in Dublin entered into contract with 'Ford Mills' for a regular supply - the export market had commenced! To meet growing demand, additional 'Griswald' machines were purchased and it soon became clear that the Wind Street premises was too small; it was at this stage that management decided to divide the business into two sections - Ford Mills remaining as the wholesale side, with a new company, Corgi Hosiery Ltd. being formed to handle manufacturing. The selection of name of the new company was influenced by a 'Corgi' dog, winning for the first time the Supreme Champion Award at Crufts, and also, the eldest daughter of the King - Princess Elizabeth - holding such a publicised fondness for the breed, a 'Welsh Corgi'. The 'Corgi' became an insignia or brand motif of identification of their products. By 1947, Corgi Hosiery Ltd. moved into a brand new purpose designed factory in New Road, and within a year, held 95 employees on the payroll, selling 95% of their production to the American market, In 1949, the company were invited to the first post war Trade Fair at Hanover, Germany, and within hours of opening, had sold their permitted quota, continuing with increased demands from Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Canada and Mexico. A 'Gold Medal' award for design and quality at the California State Fair in 1956, indicated the achievements of the company. Included in an order with U.M. Kesler of Palm Springs, California, were a few pairs of socks, specially designed, containing the initials 'I.K.E.' for presentation to President Eisenhower - he responded with a personal commendatory letter of thanks to Mr Glyn Jones. Following into his fathers footsteps, Mr Huw Jones joined the company in 1960, and started diversifying into 'intarsia' knitwear, taking on a commission linking up with Messrs W.F.Paine of Godalming, Surrey - this part of the production expanded rapidly and by 1963, some 120 employees were engaged on the product, occupying three-quarters of the factory area. The knitwear industry, like many other industries, experienced fluctuating levels of prosperity; whilst the market was expanding, increasing competition from overseas lead to fierce competition. Corgi Hosiery Ltd. were by now well established and took a major decision in 1985, to purchase the lease of the factory unit in New Road, from the Welsh Development Agency, immediately enlarging the accomodation by a third, making a total floor space area of somewhere in the region of 18,000 feet super. At this period, records were being broken in that the annual turnover of sales reached over one million pounds. 1989 saw yet another distinctive complement, in the award of a 'Royal Warrant' by his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, which entitled Corgi Hosiery Ltd. "to display the Prince of Wales Badge of three Feathers in connection with the business" - surely an accolade which signifies a standard of excellence, in production of high quality garments and hosiery. The Jones family can be proud of their enterprise, giving so many local people employment, in an area which has suffered in work opportunities. In 1997, the involvement of the Jones family in the business was secured for another generation, when Mr Huw Jones was Joined by his son Chris Jones, and his daughter Mrs Lisa Wood. Since 1997 the company has undergone a period of change, expanding its product lines to include Ladies and Children's wear. The company works with many top designers, producing garments for their collections, and you will also find Corgi knitwear and socks in many of the Worlds top stores In 2001 Corgi was awarded the "UK Fashion Export Award", for its excellent record of exporting 70% of its production to countries around the world. This was further recognised in 2003 when the company was presented with the "Carmarthenshire export award".   Back to Top