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Silver Cross is an English private limited company and manufacturer of baby transport and other baby-related products, founded in 1877. Based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, Silver Cross 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]
| Founded | 1877  |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Skipton, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
| Parent | Fosun International |
| Website | silvercrossbaby |
History
editFounding
editWilliam 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] 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
editIn the 1920s and 1930s, the Wilson brothers supplied a Silver Cross baby carriage to George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.[2] By 1936, Silver Cross had moved to a larger factory in Guiseley.[5]
In the 1940s and 1950s, Silver Cross developed new techniques for pram production. Plywood bodies were replaced with aluminum, and new rubber die presses, spot-welding machines, and others 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] Silver Cross prams came to be seen as old-fashioned.[3][8]
21st century
editIn 2002, the company was sold to Alan Halsall for £500,000.[8] While Halsall kept 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 international markets, particularly Asian territories, including China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.[8]
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.[9]
On July 20, 2015, Fosun International announced it had purchased the company from Halsall.[10] As of 2017, Fosun owned 87.23% of the company.[11]
In October 2016, the company announced their expansion into the United States via ABC Expo, a trade show for children's products.[12]
Products
editSilver Cross's coach-built prams have a hard body, C-spring suspension, spoked wheels, and a folding hood. This method of pram construction was developed by William Wilson, who marketed it and registered numerous patents for perambulator design.[13]
References
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ Coren, Giles. "The £2,000 Aston Martin pram that's a real babe magnet". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ "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.