The history of Firth Bros. Ltd. goes back to the nineteenth century.
Firth Quality Tailor was established in 1890 in Hamilton, Ontario, by tailor and designer, Norman F. Firth, after serving his apprenticeship in R.S. Babb’s custom tailoring shop. In 1909, Norman purchased I.G. Thomson & Co, and moved Firth Quality Tailor into the Opera House at 106 James Street North. John M. Firth, an accountant, soon joined his brother to form Firth Bros. Quality Tailors. |
The Firths subsequently bought a store at 144 James Street North. It had only a 15-foot frontage but the parcel of land behind it was 75 feet wide and extended to Hughson Street. This deal made it possible for the brothers to plan the long-range program which eventually became a thriving wholesale and retail manufacturer. A new store was built, and then the two-storey plant, designed by architect Willard Bruce Riddell, fronting on Hughson Street. As the business grew, additional storeys were added to the factory at 127 Hughson Street at Cannon.
Firth Bros. gradually grew, buying stores in Windsor and London, Ontario. A former Hamilton man, George Niblock, wrote from Cranbrook, British Columbia, asking for samples of cloth. John travelled to B.C. and met with Niblock and several other merchants who went on to stock Firth Bros clothing. The business kept expanding and by 1959, had more than 600 dealers across the country. The Firth firm had established itself as a vital part of Hamilton business life for more than 60 years.
Firth Bros. gradually grew, buying stores in Windsor and London, Ontario. A former Hamilton man, George Niblock, wrote from Cranbrook, British Columbia, asking for samples of cloth. John travelled to B.C. and met with Niblock and several other merchants who went on to stock Firth Bros clothing. The business kept expanding and by 1959, had more than 600 dealers across the country. The Firth firm had established itself as a vital part of Hamilton business life for more than 60 years.
As well as supplying made-to-measure suits, the company procured contracts to supply the military with greatcoats. At one point during the Second World War, they produced as many as 3,000 greatcoats per week. After the war ended, they went back to making custom suits and specialized uniforms for the military and police. They also made historical uniforms used at Old Fort Henry, made suits for the speaker and the deputy speaker of the House of Commons, and in the late 60s, made the grey morning suit worn by Governor-General Roland Michener at the Queen’s Plate.
Piles of greatcoats in various stages of completion. |
The story of the Firth family business dates back to the arrival in Hamilton of James Firth, a blacksmith from Stromness, Orkney, Scotland. James married Susan Carruthers who had immigrated with her family from Dumfriesshire, Scotland, as a child, and lived in Hamilton. They passed on the value of consistent hard work to their son John, who learned the art of money management from his thrifty mother.
Norman F. Firth and John M. Firth remained partners until 1952 when Norman’s interest was bought out by John and his son, James C. Firth. James had worked at the plant from his teen years, taking time out for studies at McMaster University and later a Master’s degree from the Harvard Business School. James took over the presidency of the company in 1960 and remained in that position until Firth Bros. ceased operation.
The 1950s and 60s continued to be successful for the firm, but changes in the marketplace during the 1970s made custom suits largely a thing of the past. The locally made made-to-measure suit lost ground to the often imported off-the-rack suit. Firth Bros. Ltd. discontinued manufacturing operations in 1978.
Norman F. Firth and John M. Firth remained partners until 1952 when Norman’s interest was bought out by John and his son, James C. Firth. James had worked at the plant from his teen years, taking time out for studies at McMaster University and later a Master’s degree from the Harvard Business School. James took over the presidency of the company in 1960 and remained in that position until Firth Bros. ceased operation.
The 1950s and 60s continued to be successful for the firm, but changes in the marketplace during the 1970s made custom suits largely a thing of the past. The locally made made-to-measure suit lost ground to the often imported off-the-rack suit. Firth Bros. Ltd. discontinued manufacturing operations in 1978.