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 characterized by a hard body, C-spring suspension, spoked wheels, and a folding hood. This method of pram construction was developed by |
Silver Cross's coach-built prams are characterized by a hard body, C-spring suspension, spoked wheels, and a folding hood. This method of pram construction was developed by William Wilson, who marketed this type of coach-built baby carriage and registered numerous patents for [[Baby transport|perambulator]] design. 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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==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 characterized 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> |
The main focus of the Silver Cross range is currently 3-in-1 combination pram systems. This type of pram is characterized 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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Revision as of 17:27, 7 December 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 (perambulators, a type of baby transport) and pushchairs. Its parent company, the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, owns 87.2 percent of the equity.[1]
History
Founding
William Wilson founded the company in 1877, in Hunslet, Leeds.[2][3] Wilson's prams used a spring system and a reversible hood,[2] which he produced in a factory on Silver Cross Street, Leeds.[4] In 1897, Wilson opened a factory on Whitehouse Street in Leeds.[5] Thereafter, Wilson registered more than 30 patents for pram design.[6] Soon after receiving a Royal Warrant for baby carriage production, William Wilson died at age 58. Ownership passed to his three sons: James, Irwin, and Alfred.[7]
20th century
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Wilson brothers supplied a Silver Cross baby carriage to George VI and Queen Elizabeth.[2] By 1936, Silver Cross had moved to a larger factory in Guiseley.[5]
In the 1940s and 1950s, Silver Cross adapted and developed new techniques for pram production. Plywood bodies were replaced with aluminum, and new rubber die presses, spot-welding machines, conveyor stoves, and other state-of-the-art equipment were installed at the Silver Cross Works.
Posters of the time portrayed Silver Cross prams alongside Rolls-Royce cars, leading to the unofficial title of "the Rolls-Royce of Prams".[2]
In the fast changing consumer culture of the1960s, Silver Cross prams came to be seen as old-fashioned.[3][8]
21st century and ownership changes
By 2002 the company was faring poorly financially, and was sold to Alan Halsall in the same year for just £500,000.[8] 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.[8] Additionally, Halsall wanted Silver Cross to partner with complementary British manufacturers, such as furniture makers and toy makers.[8] Halsall also focused on expanding the company into new international markets, particularly to Asian territories, including China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore.[8]
On July 20, 2015, Fosun International announced it had purchased the company from Halsall.[9] As of 2017, Fosun owned 87.23% of the company.[10]
In October 2016, the company announced their expansion into the United States via ABC Expo, a trade show for children's products.[11]
Coach-built prams
Silver Cross's coach-built prams are characterized by a hard body, C-spring suspension, spoked wheels, and a folding hood. This method of pram construction was developed by William Wilson, who marketed this type of coach-built baby carriage and registered numerous patents for perambulator design. Despite refinements in techniques and manufacturing processes, the method of pram building today remains very similar to early pram building.[12]
Contemporary products
The main focus of the Silver Cross range is currently 3-in-1 combination pram systems. This type of pram is characterized 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.[13]
References
- ^ "Fosun Group Expands the Health Consumption Investment by Partnering with Silver Cross". en.fosun.com. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ 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.