To close this 90th anniversary series, we will uncover the story of our current CEO, Robert Ettinger, Gerry's son, and the important milestones of the last 30 years.
Raised in London, Vienna, and France, Robert inherited his father's linguistic talents and curiosity for new cultures. Alongside his younger brother Paul, he showed a natural ability for sports, particularly excelling in Alpine skiing. Although Robert had the opportunity to become a ski instructor, he ultimately chose to follow his father's footsteps by pursuing a career in business.
Robert Ettinger and his brother Paul skiing in the Alps.
Eager to explore the world on his own terms, Robert embarked on a series of business apprenticeships abroad at a young age. His journey began in Germany, where he immersed himself in the marble gifting industry, followed by several years in Canada, working in luxury jewellery retail with Mappins.
In 1980, Robert finally joined the family business, working alongside his father until 1995 when he took over the reins as Gerry retired, ushering in a new era for the company.
When Robert became CEO of Ettinger, one of his primary goals was to expand the company’s presence beyond the UK and establish Ettinger as a global leather goods brand. This journey toward international growth began in Japan 25 years ago, where Robert visited countless companies to explore potential partnerships. Initially, none were willing to represent Ettinger but a year later, following the prestigious granting of the company’s first Royal Warrant by the Prince of Wales, Ettinger's fortunes changed, marking the beginning of its successful global expansion.
This first Royal Warrant granted in 1996 significantly contributed to establish the company's global reputation as a luxury leather goods brand.
Robert Ettinger with the 1996 Royal Warrant.
Three years later, in 1999, Ettinger acquired James Homer Ltd factory, one of England's oldest leather factories, located in Walsall, near Birmingham. In Victorian times, Walsall was known as the saddlery and leather goods capital of Britain. The city’s foundation on limestone rock made it an ideal location for leather production, as lime, a key ingredient in the leather curing process, was readily available. This historical significance made Walsall the perfect place to establish and sustain a leather factory.
At the time, Ettinger was forced to close its London factory after 50 years due to gentrification and rising rents that pushed workshops out of the city. Having worked closely with James Homer Ltd for several years, the opportunity to purchase the factory when the owner retired was ideal for expanding Ettinger's manufacturing capacity.
When Ettinger took over the Walsall factory, production standards were raised in order to meet international luxury standards. Countries like Japan demanded a level of perfection that required greater attention to detail and better tooling. Considerable investment has been made over the years to maintain and upgrade the factory, while staff undergo rigorous training in both crafting and quality checking every piece.
Press article announcing the buy of the Walsall factory.
The late 1990s were pivotal years for Ettinger with the Royal Warrant, the new Walsall factory and the international expansion in Eastern Asia. This decade also saw the creation of the iconic Bridle Hide collection, designed 25 years ago in Walsall.
The collection was thought of when Gerry visited the factory and found storerooms piled high with beautiful high-quality bridle leather which had not previously been used for small leather goods. It would have been a crime to let it go to waste so Gerry set about creating the Bridle Hide collection. And it wasn’t just the resilient bridle leather that needed using up; there was also a stock of softer, light tan panel leather looking for a new purpose.
The first collections were produced using black bridle leather and the London tan as the inside colour. Over the years the Ettinger team has expanded the range to nine colours, from red and petrol blue through to nut and racing green, with the contrasting inside panel remaining the signature London tan.
The Bridle Hide collection was very innovative at the time as Ettinger was the first British brand to make leather wallets with contrasting panel inside. In 2024, it still remains the bestselling collection!
Press advert of the Bridle Hide collection in the early 2000s.
Since the 2000s, Ettinger has introduced many other collections and has developed its business even more internationally, selling its products to countless retailers all over the globe.
After years of manufacturing leather goods for members of the Royal Family and being granted with a first Royal Warrant in 1996 by the Prince of Wales, Ettinger had the privilege to be granted a new warrant in the spring of 2024 by HM The King. Ettinger will then continue to be part of the Royal Warrant Holders Association which it has been a proud member since 1996.
To celebrate these 90 years of craftsmanship and heritage, Ettinger has introduced a limited edition collection featuring three of its most iconic products: a Billfold Wallet with 6 C/C, a Rectangular Key Ring and a Bookmark. Each item is meticulously crafted from the same premium goat leather used in the Capra Collection, presented in an elegant and timeless navy hue.
The collection is distinguished by the original Ettinger logo, first designed in 1934, which portrays a British Guardsman. This emblem was chosen by Gerry Ettinger as a figure of British tradition, inspired by the King's Guards - a notable symbol of Britain since their formation in 1656 to protect the exiled King Charles II.
The three limited-edition pieces will be available to purchase on the 12th of September on Ettinger.co.uk.
The 90th Anniversary Collection.