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Spring Tailoring begins at the mill : Explore Lighter Cloths for the Warmer Days Ahead

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Fox Brothers & Co Ltd
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HERITAGE

Fox Design Lab

Today

Fox continues to work with wool, creating new cloth collections based on historical designs from our archive, as well as modern and contemporary patterns. Combing traditional manufacturing processes with state-of-the-art design and technology, in order to create the very finest fabrics.

Proudly celebrating 250 years

2022

To commemorate this extraordinary milestone a new collection of '1772 Flannel' cloth, special Fox cloth garments and a revitalised edition of 'Classic Flannel' were launched.

Limited-Edition Trainers

2014

Fox Brothers' worked on a special collaboration project with Nike and released a limited-edition pair of trainers. In turn, this started further ventures with other well-known brands such as Adidas.

The Merchant Fox Launched

2012

The Merchant Fox was launched, creating an online retail store offering premium ready-made garments and accessories rooted in British heritage and traditional design.

Proudly received The Queen's Award

1966

Fox Brothers' received the prestigious Queens Award, which is presented to British businesses for outstanding achievement in their field. Fox Brothers' later went on to win the award for a second time in 2006 for the marketing of lightweight flannel.

Fox introduce Khaki Dye

1900

The khaki colour was approved as part of The British Armed Forces military uniforms and patented by King Edward VII. Fox supplied over 8,000 miles of cloth to the British and Allied governments throughout WWI.

Over 5,000 Employees

1890

During the height of its output, Fox Brothers' became one of the largest employers in the country. Subsidiary factories opened throughout the country, with over 5,000 individuals ensuring the smooth operation of the cloth production.

Tonedale House was Completed

1807

Thomas Fox's plans came to fruition with the completion of Tonedale House. This move saw the Fox family construct a Palladian Villa adjacent to their relocated mill, which was perfectly situated next to the River Tone.

Fox is Formed

1772

As the demand for wool grew, Thomas Fox partnered with his uncle Thomas Were, to help the woollen textile business flourish. Thomas travelled to study the woollen trade, before introducing a new company name and rebranded business model.

Were Company Trademarked

1680

The very first traces of our woollen business can be traced back to the Elizabethan era. During this time, Thomas Fox's four times great-grandfather John Were, started to produce serge (cloth) from a small cottage in Wellington, Somerset.

Since 1772

Steeped in History

Originally established in 1772, Fox Brothers & Co Ltd has produced woollen and worsted fabric for the past three centuries. Officially credited as the original creators of flannel, Fox has a pattern archive dating back to our foundation. We have proudly been producing cloth entirely in England since the 18th century.

Combining traditional practices and techniques with revolutionary technology, to create a fine selection of textiles for the various seasons. Our luxurious cloth is selected by prestigious tailors and contemporary fashion houses, for its premium qualities and strong heritage. It is the quintessential English cloth.

WHERE FOX STYLE HAS TRAVELLED

CARY GRANT

LEGENDARY ENGLISH-AMERICAN ACTOR

GREY CHALK STRIPE

FRED ASTAIRE

ACTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER, DANCER & SINGER

GREY FLANNEL

WINSTON CHURCHILL

FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

HISTORICAL CHALK STRIPE

Fox, ADDIDAS X SIZE?

SPORTSWEAR COLLABORATION

WEST OF ENGLAND GREY FLANNEL,
OLD ENGLISH BLUE CHALK STRIPE,
& CLASSIC GLEN CHECK

RALPH FIENNES

ACTOR, DIRECTOR & FILM PRODUCER

DIRECTOR'S CHALK STRIPE

ASTON MARTIN

MANUFACTURER OF LUXURY SPORTS CARS

PRINCE OF WALES CHECK

DAISY RIDLEY

ENGLISH ACTRESS

FANCY CHECK

A Brief Timeline

1772

TRACED BACK TO THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH I

The origins of our Wellington woollen business are believed to have begun with John Were of Pinksmoor Mill, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1772, the young Thomas Fox established a partnership with his Grandfather Thomas Were in his serge (cloth) making company located at Trade Court, South Street, Wellington. Thomas Fox later decided to study languages and the woollen trade abroad, and on his return the company was transformed from a small cottage industry, into one of the most successful family-owned cloth manufacturers. The mill was subsequently operated by the Fox family for the next seven generations.

1787

THOMAS FOX SET UP HIS OWN BANK

Initially established as a way of transferring funds between suppliers and customers, Thomas Fox opened his own bank in 1787. This also became useful for employee wages and savings for workers within the woollen business. The bank later became Fox Fowler & Co. and developed a chain of over 55 branches before being sold to Lloyds Bank in 1922. Fox Fowler & Co was the last British privately owned bank to issue their own bank notes.

1796

A former flour mill at Tonedale

Thomas Fox decided to relocate the business to a larger premises after discovering a former flour mill, which offered more space and was ideally located close to the vital water supply from the River Tone. This allowed the mill to become water and steam powered before the days of gas and electricity. This created a revolutionary change whereby wool could be woven into cloth more efficiently. Additionally, the location at Tonedale was also conveniently situated near the main town of Wellington, Somerset.

1843

Jacquard looms added for increased productivity

As demand grew for finer cloths it became apparent that the mill’s machinery would need to be updated in order to cope with the uptake in cloth production. As a result, Jacquard and Hattersley looms were added by 1843. These were used extensively until the mid-1900's, when they were eventually replaced by Northrop and Sulzer looms.

1873

PROFIT SHARING & WORKERS BENEFITS

During this time a scheme was created to offer profit sharing, free medical attendance, illness insurance, and company pensions. These practices were ahead of their time as it would be another forty years when similar methods were set by the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lloyd George. These standards led to employees joining textile unions and encouraged the creation of company delegates.

1900

OVER 5,000 FOX EMPLOYEES

Fox Brothers' employed around 5,000 individuals during peak production periods in the early 20th century. An apprentice programme was established to train enthusiastic workers, as well as a large maintenance department, to oversee the operation of the machinery. By this point Fox Brothers also had subsidiary factories at Cullompton, Culmstock, Uffculme, Wiveliscombe, Weston-Super-Mare, and the William Bliss mill at Chipping Norton.

1918

KHAKI DYE INTRODUCED

After producing scarlet serge for the British Army, Fox Brothers' were fundamental in introducing khaki dye. Reportedly the khaki colouration was personally approved by the Prince of Wales and the War Office. During World War I, an astonishing 8,000 miles of khaki cloth were produced, along with 70,000 pairs of puttees each week.

1963

FIRST LORRY DELIVERY

Transport links and communication lines across the UK had advanced significantly by this point. As a result, Fox Brothers invested in their first lorry which would deliver cloth on a weekly basis to London, the Midlands, and Yorkshire. This service ensured fabric could be delivered quickly and at short notice. This period also saw the arrival of the Telex telephone network.

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2009

A tale of two friends : The Gentleman & the Business MagnatE

Business magnate and TV personality Deborah Meaden (most commonly known for her appearances as a 'Dragon', on the BBC TV series Dragons' Den) acquired Fox Brothers alongside long-term friend Douglas Cordeaux in 2009. A business partnership more than 15 years in the making, the pair decided to invest in the great British woollen mill following an insightful visit to the long-standing factory. Following that excursion, they instantly 'fell in love' with its historical charm, original manufacturing processes, and the challenge of revitalising a textile manufacturer. Seeking to preserve and restore "the sound of Great Britain making stuff".

2022

PROUDLY CELEBRATING 250 YEARS

Having recently celebrated its 250th anniversary, Fox Brothers continues to craft the finest woollen and worsted fabric in Somerset, England. Officially credited as the original creators of flannel, Fox Brothers is still the standard bearer for this luxuriously milled cloth. In the present day, the firm continues to adapt and brace change, with collections of cloth suitable for all seasons. "If It's Not Fox, It’s Not Flannel."

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Become a Charter Member of the Fox Cloth Club

Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates on limited release seasonal cloths, tailoring advice, invitations to events and shows, access to exclusive promotions, input on future designs and more!       

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The Fox Name

Fox Brothers & Co Ltd is a prestigious clothmaker which specialises in manufacturing handmade woollen and worsted fabrics, featuring an extensive archive of cloth patterns which dates back to the late 18th century. Originally branded Fox Brothers', after Thomas Fox in 1772, the Fox name has since gone on to become a highly reputable manufacturer within the textile community, proudly supplying our collection of exquisitely made cloths to luxury fashion houses, renowned tailors, film studios, and well-known public figures.

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Additional Information

To find out more about our cloth collections, please call us on: +44(0)1823 662271 or email: info@foxflannel.com

Company Registration No: 032 74 591 | VAT No: 742 470 540

Site Development: Dinnis Design

Photography: Lorenzo Sodi | Neil White | Spencer Cobby

© Fox Brothers & Co Ltd

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