Great North East Businesses: J Barbour & Sons Limited

Barbour has been synonymous with outdoor life in the UK and beyond for over a century. In 1894 John Barbour established his business supplying oilskins to the growing numbers of sailors, fishermen, and dockers--the demand spread rapidly and with the onset of war they developed the Ursula waterproof suit for sub-mariners. The Barbour wax jacket for which the firm is world famous actually has a more recent history being customised for a member of the armed forces serving in the Falklands war. The wax jacket is still manufactured in South Shields and the firm has remained loyal to its roots. the firms has been in the Barbour family; the current chairman, Dame Margaret is the wife of John Barbour's great grand-son and Helen, the founder's great, great grand-daughter has a growing involvement in the firm. J Barbour & Sons is now trading in many countries around the world employing over 500 people and has a broad product line as visitors to the firms popular factory shop on Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow will discover. It is trading very strongly in the UK market at present with signs that in the downturn there is a flight to quality and quality doesn't come much better than Barbour.

Finally, I came across a wonderful quote from Malcolm, John Barbour's son, which I think is a great lesson for any business looking to survice and flourish in the current tough economic times:

"Have you heard of the term 'service'?

It is a term that has come to stay among thoughtful businessmen. 'Service' means doing all in one’s power to oblige a customer – not sticking at a little trouble because there seems no profit at the paying end of the transaction. It means, too, the breaking aside of the icy barrier that frequently separates the merchant from his customer, a coming to handgrips, as it were, the foundation of friendship and personal feeling."

Malcolm Barbour (From the introduction to the Barbour Catalogue of 1919)

Further comment see You Tube video opposite.