Silver Cross (company): Difference between revisions
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==Coach-built prams== |
==Coach-built prams== |
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Silver Cross's coach-built prams are |
Silver Cross's coach-built prams are characterised by a hard body, C-spring suspension, spoked wheels and folding hood. This method of pram building was developed by William Wilson, who marketed this type of coach-built baby carriage, and registered numerous patents for [[Baby transport|perambulator]] design to protect his invention. Despite refinements in techniques and manufacturing processes, the method of pram building today remains very similar to early pram building.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Story : Silver Cross {{!}} Baby Gear Since 1877 |url=https://silvercrossus.com/our-story/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Silver Cross USA |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Silver Cross currently manufactures two models of full-size coach-built pram in the UK, the Balmoral and the Kensington, as well as two models of dolls pram, the Oberon and the Chatsworth. Silver Cross is the only pram manufacturer still producing coach-built prams in the UK.{{cnp|date=October 2023}} |
Silver Cross currently manufactures two models of full-size coach-built pram in the UK, the Balmoral and the Kensington, as well as two models of dolls pram, the Oberon and the Chatsworth. Silver Cross is the only pram manufacturer still producing coach-built prams in the UK.{{cnp|date=October 2023}} |
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==Contemporary products== |
==Contemporary products== |
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The main focus of the Silver Cross range is currently 3-in-1 combination pram systems. This type of pram is |
The main focus of the Silver Cross range is currently 3-in-1 combination pram systems. This type of pram is characterised by its ability to be converted from a lie flat pram, to a pushchair, or to a travel system (with the addition of a baby car seat). Silver Cross also produces infant car seats, lightweight umbrella-fold pushchairs, nursery furniture collections, nursery bedding and decor items, and a range of toys and gifts. In 2013 Silver Cross entered into a partnership with classic British automotive brand [[Aston Martin]] to produce a special edition of the Surf pram and [[Baby transport|pushchair]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coren |first=Giles |title=The £2,000 Aston Martin pram that's a real babe magnet |language=en |newspaper=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-pound2000-aston-martin-pram-thats-a-real-babe-magnet-klz60ncrsnf |access-date=2022-10-14 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 02:44, 22 November 2023
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| Founded | 1877  |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Skipton, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
| Parent | Fosun International |
| Website | silvercrossbaby |
Silver Cross, founded in 1877, is an English private limited company and manufacturer of baby transport and other baby-related products. Based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, it sells baby prams and pushchairs, particularly coach-built prams. The company operates in over 70 countries. Its parent company, the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, owns 87.2 percent equity.
History
Founding
William Wilson founded the company in 1877, in Hunslet, Leeds.[1][2] Wilson's prams used a spring system and a reversible hood,[1] which he produced in a factory on Silver Cross Street, Leeds.[3] In 1897, Wilson opened a factory on Whitehouse Street, Leeds.[4] During the decade that followed, Wilson registered for over 30 patents for pram design.[5] Soon after receiving a Royal Warrant for baby carriage production, William Wilson died, aged 58, and ownership passed to his 3 sons; James, Irwin and Alfred.[6]
20th century
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Wilson brothers supplied a Silver Cross baby carriage to George VI and Queen Elizabeth.[1] By 1936, Silver Cross had moved to a larger factory in Guiseley.[4]
In the 1940s and 1950s, Silver Cross adapted and developed new techniques for pram production. Plywood bodies were replaced with aluminium, and new rubber die presses, spot welding machines, conveyor stoves and other state-of-the-art equipment was installed at the Silver Cross Works.
Queen Elizabeth II chose a Silver Cross pram for Prince Charles in 1948.
In 1951, Silver Cross launched a series of new iconic shaped prams, the forefathers of the modern day Balmoral pram.[citation needed] Posters of the time portray Silver Cross prams alongside Rolls-Royce cars, leading to the unofficial title 'the Rolls-Royce of Prams'.[1]
During the 1960s, Silver Cross prams were seen as unfashionable, and old-fashioned compared to the changing consumer culture of the time.[2][7]
The introduction of a chromium plating plant in 1964 and development of the product range. The range further extended into highchairs and furniture.[This paragraph needs citation(s)]
In 1977, Silver Cross reached its centenary, and a pram was presented to Princess Anne for her first child, Peter Philips.[This paragraph needs citation(s)]
During the 1980s and 1990s, Silver Cross launched the hugely successful Wayfarer pushchair, a lightweight pushchair with a large integrated shopping basket beneath a reversible seat. The Wayfarer sold over a million units.[This paragraph needs citation(s)]
21st century & ownership changes
By 2002, the company was faring poorly financially, and was sold to Alan Halsall in 2002 for just £500,000.[7] While Halsall kept the company's line of "Heritage" pushchairs featuring the older designs, most of the company's sales came from more modern designs, such as car seats.[7] Additionally, Halsall wanted Silver Cross to partner with other "complementary" British manufacturers, such as furniture makers and toy makers.[7] Halsall also focused on expanding the company into new international markets, particularly to Asian districts like China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore.[7]
On 20 July 2015, Fosun International announced it had purchased the company from Halsall.[8] As of 2017, Fosun owned 87.23% of the company.[9]
In October 2016, the company announced their expansion into the United States via ABC Expo, a trade show for children's products.[10] In August 2017, a collection of contemporary Silver Cross dolls prams and pushchairs was launched in association with Play Like Mum.[citation needed]
Coach-built prams
Silver Cross's coach-built prams are characterised by a hard body, C-spring suspension, spoked wheels and folding hood. This method of pram building was developed by William Wilson, who marketed this type of coach-built baby carriage, and registered numerous patents for perambulator design to protect his invention. Despite refinements in techniques and manufacturing processes, the method of pram building today remains very similar to early pram building.[11]
Silver Cross currently manufactures two models of full-size coach-built pram in the UK, the Balmoral and the Kensington, as well as two models of dolls pram, the Oberon and the Chatsworth. Silver Cross is the only pram manufacturer still producing coach-built prams in the UK.[This paragraph needs citation(s)]
Contemporary products
The main focus of the Silver Cross range is currently 3-in-1 combination pram systems. This type of pram is characterised by its ability to be converted from a lie flat pram, to a pushchair, or to a travel system (with the addition of a baby car seat). Silver Cross also produces infant car seats, lightweight umbrella-fold pushchairs, nursery furniture collections, nursery bedding and decor items, and a range of toys and gifts. In 2013 Silver Cross entered into a partnership with classic British automotive brand Aston Martin to produce a special edition of the Surf pram and pushchair.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d "History of Silver Cross | British Design Since 1877". silvercrossus.com. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Wheels of fortune for Silver Cross - the prams that pushed themselves all the way to the top". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ Leeds City Council. "Dewsbury Road, Silver Cross Hotel". www.leodis.net. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ a b Leeds City Council. "Silver Cross Street, numbers 6, 8 & 10". www.leodis.net. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ "William Wilson and Sons - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ "The first Silver Cross pram returns home". www.antiquestradegazette.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Wood, Zoe (24 September 2010). "Silver Cross: the British pram winning over pushy mums". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ "Fosun Group Expands the Health Consumption Investment by Partnering with Silver Cross". Fosun. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Fosun Annual Report 2017" (PDF). 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ Silver Cross. "Beloved British Juvenile Products Brand, Silver Cross, Launches In USA At ABC Expo". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ "Our Story : Silver Cross | Baby Gear Since 1877". Silver Cross USA. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ Coren, Giles. "The £2,000 Aston Martin pram that's a real babe magnet". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 14 October 2022.