HELPING TO SKILL AUSTRALIA FOR THE FUTURE
Rossi Boots, a wholly Australian owned business that has been making quality boots since 1910, is well positioned for a bright future with new investment, an ambitious manufacturing schedule, repositioning and a marketing program planned to bring the brand back to full strength, cementing their position as a leading and trusted Australian bootmaker.
Rossi Boots’ founder, Arthur Rossiter, kicked off the business in 1908, making premium leather sports boots from his backyard shed in Adelaide. Ambitiously building a factory in 1910, the family tradition of Rossi Boots began, spanning 112 years and four generations.
In April 2020, the majority shareholding of Adelaide-based Rossi Boots was acquired by two new shareholders, the Propel Group and GP Securities with the Propel Group employed as the manager of the business. Rossi joins Propel’s portfolio of brands which includes Driza-Bone and regional outfitters RB Sellars, completing a triumvirate of classic Australian apparel icons. However, the connection to the founder continues with Arthur’s great-grandson, Paul Rossiter, maintaining a shareholding and a seat on the board. The heritage and provenance continue.
With the backing of the new shareholders, Rossi Boots has been building its Adelaide factory capacity and slowly growing its manufacturing base. With a focus on hand crafted quality, Rossi Boots has committed to manufacturing in Australia and in our broader region.
Rossi’s team of experienced, artisan craftspeople are on hand to share their knowledge and help develop new skills as they nurture the next generation of master craftspeople.
The good news certainly doesn’t stop there.
The company is employing innovation to develop new waterproof leathers from Australian hides that are tanned in Geelong, Victoria. An omni-channel business that embraces cutting edge technology to drive business, Rossi is exporting boots to key European markets in ever-growing numbers whilst continuing to see growth at home.
With new export markets opening up, the business is most definitely on an upward trajectory.
Rossi is a truly global brand with big aspirations and some new, handcrafted products on the horizon. Rossi’s Global Brand General Manager, Peter Abbott, said, “We are committed to designing and crafting our built for purpose boots in Australia and continuing to work with our international production partners to produce our range of quality products.”
Still proudly located in Adelaide, the business has seen many changes over the years however one thing remains – their commitment to quality, premium boots, made using artisan techniques and superior leathers.
“South Australians especially, know that Rossi makes a better boot,” Abbott said.
Rich in history, Rossi was the supplier of 110,000 boots to the soldiers of World War One, before pioneering the iconic ripple sole desert boot in the 50s, creating a trend in boots that endures to current day.
Embraced by numerous industries as a superior work boot, Rossi Boots continues to drive trends backed by state of the art, innovative design and techniques.
Rossi Boots are available online at rossiboots.com.au, and in selected retail outlets nationally.
