Bates Accessories, under the retail trade brand name of Thomas Bates, a U.S. manufacturer of belts, bags, wallets and sandals since 1989, has purchased Custom Brand Footwear of Delevan, Wisc. Custom Brand designs and manufactures traditional hand-sewn leather footwear under the David Spencer brand name for the golf, specialty and outdoor markets.
Operating since 1999, Custom Brand footwear is distributed throughout the U.S. to more than 600 accounts. The brand is also known for custom work, producing shoes for specialty shops, golf pro shops, footwear and retail apparel brands throughout the country.
“After more than 25 years making leather and fabric accessories and custom products for footwear manufacturers, we are excited to join forces with Custom Brand Footwear,” commented Thomas Bates, owner and president of Bates Accessories. “We look forward to combining our expertise and knowledge in leather manufacturing and distribution.”
Thomas Bates sells to specialty and outdoor retailers and operates a leather goods factory in Haverhill, Mass. Its capabilities include all types of leather accessories in a variety of fabrics and leathers, including cowhide, bison, reptile, ostrich and snake. The brand also sources materials and products with partner factories in China and India. For Fall 2016, Bates will introduce several footwear styles made from Bison in their Haverhill factory under the Thomas Bates brand name.
Bates continued, “Our U.S. factory has grown considerably over the past five years. It is exciting to watch young adults learn the leather trade and grow as qualified craftspeople. With the addition of footwear, our production team is looking forward to the challenge of making shoes in the USA.”
Bates will relocate the CBF office from Delevan, Wisc., to its Greenland, N.H., location. John Bracewell will continue as the director of sales for Custom Brand Footwear accounts, and will report directly to Thomas Bates. Claude Trotter, former owner and president of Custom Brand Footwear, will stay on board in an advisory role. Custom Brand Footwear styles will continue to be manufactured in Mexico and Dominican Republic.
