Historic SA shoe brand Rossi Boots is ramping up its factory capacity with a goal to continue its commitment to manufacturing locally.
The brand, which began in 1908, with founder Arthur Rossiter making premium leather sports boots in his backyard, had closed its SA manufacturing in late 2020 after the owner of its manufacturing facilities Adaptive Industries was placed into liquidation.
There had been fears it would mean an end to the brands long association with the state, but in December 2020, the company bought the facilities, and returned there in mid-2021.
In April 2020, the majority shareholding of Adelaide-based Rossi Boots was also acquired by two new shareholders, the Propel Group and GP Securities with the Propel Group employed as the manager of the business.
Now the company has announced they have new investment, an "ambitious" manufacturing schedule and a plan to "bring the brand back to full strength".
Propel, which also includes Driza-Bone and regional outfitter RB Sellars among its stable, announced it was building on its factory capacity at the Adelaide site.
The company has also been working to develop new waterproof leathers from Australian hides that are tanned in Geelong, Vic.
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Rossi's global brand general manager Peter Abbott said the company had a commitment to quality, premium boots, made using artisan techniques and superior leathers.
"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," he said.
Mr Abbott said the company was also looking to expand on their international markets.
He said they had seen increased exports to key European markets, as well as new export markets opening up, and good growth in domestic sales as well.