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)