THE HISTORY OF BUKTA:

 

 

 

Bukta was founded in 1879, by Edward Buck in Manchester, England, making it the first sports wear clothing brand. Edward Buck, originally from Carlise, moved to Manchester in c. 1875. He began what would later become Bukta in the cellar of a building on Portland Street, Manchester, using treadle sewing machines. Bukta was founded after this in 1879 when Edward Buck moved to factory premises, predominantly making shorts for soldiers in the British Army during the Boer War. Buck was among one of the first to move over to steam powered machinary and took advantages of more technology advances in the late 19th and early 20th centuary. Bukta began making uniforms for Scouts and Guides when the Scout movement was founded and became the official uniform supplier. They also made camping equipment and clothing and made hospital and tropical uniforms for the British Army during the First World War.

But it would be Sportswear that Bukta would become known for, making most of the Kits and Teamwear for UK Football and Rugby teams. Bukta dominated this right up until the 1960s. George Best famously wore Bukta when he played for Manchester United - the iconic long sleeve Red Jersey he wore being a Bukta Football Shirt. Bukta has also been worn by other sports and Football stars such as Jimmy Greaves and Diego Maradonna. Today Bukta is also worn by many Pop and Rock Stars such as Noel and Liam Gallagher.

2009 sees Bukta's 130th anniversary and the launch of the Bukta Vintage collection.

 

 

A Bukta Timeline:

  • C.1875 - Edward R. Buck moves to Manchester from Carlise and begins work in a basement of a building on Portland Street, Manchester with about 12 Treadle Sewing machines.

  • 1879 - Edward R. Buck aquires a factory and founds 'Bukta', predominately making shorts for soldiers fighting in the Boer War.

  • 1884 - Bukta make thier first football kits for Nottingham Forrest Football Club.

  • 1885 - Bukta move to a new factory leased from Lord Vernon in Poynton, near Manchester. They employ less than 30 people.

  • 1899 - Two of Edward Buck's 13 children join the business, Edward Stanley Buck starts an apprenticeship in the Marble Street, Manchester factory and Robert Robinson Buck begins an aprenticeship at the Poynton Factory. His son, Edward Vivian Buck, born in 1912 also later joins the family business.

  • 1904 - Another son of Edward Buck, William Maxwell Buck takes charge of the London Bukta Depot.

  • 1907 - 'Scoutanica' is launched as the official supplier of uniforms for the Scouts, Guides and Brownies.

  • 1907 - Edward Buck's three sons join him in a partnership.

  • 1912 - Bukta's founder Edward R. Buck Dies. His son, William Maxwell Buck becomes managing director of Bukta.

  • 1914 - Bukta make Uniforms for hospitals and tropical uniforms for the British Army in the First World War.

  • 1920 - Edward Buck buys the Manchester factory from the Vernon estate.

  • 1923 - E R Buck and Sons becomes a limited companany, and employ between 130 - 200 people. Their offices and wholesale department are on Hilton Street, Manchester.

  • c.1930 - Bukta supply kits to the majority of Division 1 Football teams throughout the 1930s.

  • 1933 - Butka supply the FA Cup finals teams with an officially sponsored kit.

  • 1943 - The Bukta Poynton factory closes and Bukta moves to bigger premises in Brinksway, Stockport. Bukta continues to be run by members of the Buck family up until 1982.

  • 1971 - Ajax captained by Johan Cruyff win the first of three consecutive European cups wearing Bukta.

  • 1972 - The BBC make a half hour documentary on Bukta as part of their 'Made In England' series.

  • 1972 - Winter sports counts for 60% of Buktas sales.

  • 1973 - Wearing Bukta kits, England Rugby Union team beats the New Zealand All Blacks for the first time in 40 years.

  • 1974 - Football referees and linesmen wear Bukta kits during the World Cup.

  • 1975 - West Ham Football Club win the FA Cup final wearing Bukta Kits.

  • 1976 - Rugby teams Widnes and St. Helen's both wear Bukta Kits for the final in the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

  • 1978 - Butka supply the kits for many athletic events, including the kit worn by Brendan Foster when he ran for Great Britain.

  • 1979 - Bukta celebrates its 100th anniversary!

  • 1980 - Butka is worn by football icons Jimmy Greaves, George Best and Diego Maradonna, both on and off the pitch, making it one of the first fashion sports brands.

  • 1982 - Bukta was Buck family owned until 1982, when it was sold to a consortium led by Sir Hugh Fraser, chairman of House of Fraser and Harrods.

  • 1985 - Bukta launch cricket catalogues featuring David Gower, and tennis ranges which are worn at Wimbledon.

  • 1999 - The Bukta brand is bought from Jimmy Greaves by the Cavden Group.

  • 2005 - The Bukta brand is relaunched by the Cavden Group, now marketed at up-market independent stores.

  • 2007 - Bukta opens stand alone stores in Japan.

  • 2009 - Bukta Vintage limited edition collection is launched.

     

     

     

     

    © 2009 Under license from Stoneville Global Ltd by Indie Apparel Ltd. All rights reserved.