Celebrating 90 years
R.M.Williams – born in the Australian outback - 1932
Whilst camping in the South Australian bush in 1932, a young Reginald Murray ‘RM’ Williams created an elastic-sided leather boot to hold up against the rough terrain and the long outback rides. Little did he know, this sturdy boot would mark the start of his lifelong mission; from humble beginnings, R.M.Williams was born. In the decades that followed, RM continued to handcraft products for hardworking stockmen and soon had a thriving mail order business, before the increasing popularity of his products demanded the establishment of a full factory at Percy Street in 1934. Many craftsmen and women joined him and later settled into a new workshop at Frost Road in the 1970s, where production continues today.
Nine decades later, RM’s handmade leather boots have become synonymous with authentic outback dressing and timeless Australian style.
As of today, hundreds of highly skilled artisans continue to handcraft leather boots, apparel and accessories for R.M.Williams, using the same techniques as those who went before them. It’s this enduring camaraderie that led RM to say ‘it’s the people who make a company.’
‘The point is, it's got to last a long time. That's what the stockmen pay for. We give them a good product’
Reginald Murray (‘RM’) Williams