Compass: Charting the Evolution of Outdoor Gear

Blacks History

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Blacks Good Companion

1861

Thomas Black sets up sail-making business in Scotland as Black of Greenock

Son has the idea of also making tents

1905

Thomas Junior takes over business when his father dies

sew airship hangers, as well as hospital marquees, bell tents and ambulance covers

1923

Company incorporates as Thomas Black and Sons (Greenock)

1930

next son D Crawford takes on business after his father dies

1931

first "Good Companions" camping catalogue is published

1933

make lightweight camping gear for Jock Scott walk from Greenock to Cape Town

introduced the Good Companion series of tents

1939-45

make tents, sleeping bags and canvas gear for the armed forces

1941

bomb destroys Greenock production facility

1948

new production facility in Glasgow is opened

1953

acquire City Camp and Sports

1958

establish subsidiary company in Canada

1962

open United States warehouse

acquire Jackson and Warr Ltd, a prominent British ski equipment firm

1967

company engages in reverse takeover of Benjamin Edgintons Ltd

1970

merge with Milletts chain stores, bringing 19 new retail outlets under the fold

1975

retailing name changes from Blacks of Greenock to Blacks Camping and Leisure

1984

merges with Greenfields

1985

changes name to Blacks Leisure Group

1994

sells Sullivans, a specialist ski and outdoor retailer

acquires Alpine Sports

Blacks Camping is renamed Blacks Outdoor

1996

claims largest outdoor and ski specialist retailer in the UK with sales of £68 million from 83 stores

1999

company acquires The Outdoor Group Limited and Sports Shop (Fife)

£147 million in sales and 183 stores

2000

claims title of country's leading outdoor retailer, with 110 stores nationwide

Blacks Leisure Group has total of 427 stores throughout the UK and Ireland

sales top £207.83 million ($328 million)

Blacks of Greenock now

Blacks Leisure Group now