Corgi Socks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

c 2010 henri beene.