Who We Are

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History & Heritage

Blundstone holds quality and comfort at the heart of the company.

Despite becoming one of the world’s most recognisable boot brands, the company still remains Tasmanian and we have no plans to change.

Let us guide you through Blundstone's history, and how we became one of the most successful boot brands today.

1853

Brothers James and Thomas Cuthbertson set sail from England on the Coromandel ship, bound for Melbourne. However, the ship was blown off course by the Roaring Forties and landed instead in Hobart Town, Tasmania.

It was James Cuthbertson who settled in Tasmania, starting his own business making and importing shoes, marrying and starting a family. He bestowed his flourishing shoe business to his first-born, James II.

Married couple John and Eliza Blundstone arrived in Hobart around this time on the Conway ship from Derbyshire. John was also experienced in footwear manufacturing, like James Cuthbertson, and he soon set up his own shoe business in Liverpool Street, Hobart.

1870

Blundstone was officially established in Hobart, Tasmania.

1892

John’s shoe business was also flourishing. By 1892, he had established a factory and expanded to premises on either side of Collins Street. He also took his son, Sylvanus, into the business to carry on the family’s shoemaking legacy.

1902

John Blundstone and Son was formed, and the pair soon bought a two storey factory on Campbell Street.

1932

Unfortunately, The Great Depression in Australia led to a huge downturn of profits for the now Blundstone Pty. Ltd and forced the company to be sold.

It was purchased by the Grandsons of James Cuthbertson, James and Thomas, in 1932. They amalgamated the manufacturing operations under the Blundstone name, and retained it for the tannery in South Hobart.

1979

Blundstone became the first Australian footwear manufacturer to receive a design award from the Industrial Design Council of Australia.

1986

Blundstone was the recipient of an Australian Export Award.

1989

Blundstone started manufacturing waterproof injection moulded footwear (gumboots).

2000

Blundstone acquired another footwear company named John Bull Footwear. This was founded in New Zealand in 1934, and sells tough, comfortable boots for work and play.

2004

Blundstone’s legendary comfort evolved with the introduction of SPS x~tra into our footwear.

2010

Blundstone released the Xfoot range of premium safety boots, featuring revolutionary underfoot comfort and SPS MAX.

2011

Blundstone became the official naming rights sponsor of the world-class cricket facility at Bellerive in southern Tasmania, now known as the Blundstone Arena, Bellerive.

TODAY

Blundstone continues to expand around the globe, currently selling comfortable, unmistakable Blundstone boots and accessories to over 50 countries across five continents. We are constantly updating our shoe’s technology, all for the pleasure of our customer.