Bonds
Bonds is an Australian clothing brand best known for underwear, socks, sleepwear and everyday apparel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Bonds is an Australian apparel brand whose roots extend to the establishment of George A. Bond & Co. Limited in 1915 by George Allan Bond, an American who had come to Australia in the early twentieth century. The business initially imported women's hosiery and gloves, before moving into domestic manufacturing. In 1917 it began producing hosiery in Redfern, Sydney, and in 1918 moved to Camperdown, where it expanded into underwear production. These early steps established the combination of hosiery, underwear and practical everyday clothing that has remained central to the Bonds identity. The company expanded its industrial base during the 1920s. In 1923 it established a cotton-spinning mill at Wentworthville in western Sydney using imported machinery. The mill began operating in October of that year and became an important local employer. The surrounding area was later renamed Pendle Hill, a name associated with Bond's Scottish family background. Transport infrastructure, including a railway station, developed in connection with the mill and its workforce, giving the enterprise a significance beyond clothing manufacturing alone. The original company entered liquidation in December 1927, after which Bonds Industries Limited was established as a public company. The business subsequently underwent major ownership and structural changes. In 1970 it merged with Coats Paton Pty Ltd. Pacific Dunlop acquired it in 1987, and in 2001 the Bonds operations were separated into Pacific Brands Holdings Pty Ltd. Pacific Brands later became a listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange and the New Zealand Exchange in 2004. For much of its history, Bonds combined manufacturing with a broad consumer brand presence. In 2006, the business reportedly manufactured approximately 40 percent of its goods in Australia, operating at three New South Wales sites: Cessnock, Unanderra and Wentworthville. This domestic manufacturing footprint was subsequently eliminated as Pacific Brands pursued lower production costs. The company announced substantial job reductions, and manufacturing in Australia had ceased by September 2010. The closure generated public and media criticism, while former employees used some of the displaced equipment to establish Tuffys & Tuffetts underwear and re-employ some former Bonds workers. Pacific Brands agreed on 28 April 2016 to sell the company to Hanesbrands. The transaction was completed on 15 July 2016, making Pacific Brands a wholly owned subsidiary of Hanesbrands and placing Bonds within Hanesbrands' international apparel portfolio. Following Gildan Activewear's acquisition of Hanesbrands, Bonds became part of Gildan's brand portfolio. The brand continues to operate from its Melbourne head office and sells underwear, socks, sleepwear and other clothing for men, women and children. Its market position is rooted in accessible, practical Australian everyday wear rather than luxury fashion or narrowly technical sportswear.
History
Bonds traces its origins to George A. Bond & Co. Limited, founded in Australia in 1915 by George Allan Bond. Bond was an American who had arrived in Australia earlier in the century. The business began as an importer of women's hosiery and gloves, but soon developed manufacturing capabilities. Hosiery production started in Redfern, Sydney, in 1917. In 1918 the operation moved to Camperdown and added underwear manufacturing, establishing the product categories that would later define the Bonds brand. A major expansion occurred in 1923, when the company built a cotton-spinning mill at Wentworthville in western Sydney. The facility used imported machinery and commenced operations in October. Its growth influenced the surrounding district: the locality was renamed Pendle Hill, and transport facilities were developed to serve workers at the mill. The site became part of the industrial foundation of the company and a visible example of the relationship between textile manufacturing and urban development in western Sydney. The original company entered liquidation in December 1927. It was replaced by Bonds Industries Limited, a public company that continued the business. Bonds later merged with Coats Paton Pty Ltd in 1970. Pacific Dunlop acquired the company in 1987, and in 2001 the Bonds operations were placed in a separate entity, Pacific Brands Holdings Pty Ltd. Pacific Brands Limited was subsequently listed on both the Australian Securities Exchange and the New Zealand Exchange in 2004. Bonds maintained a significant Australian manufacturing presence into the twenty-first century. In 2006, around 40 percent of its goods were reportedly manufactured domestically at facilities in Cessnock, Unanderra and Wentworthville, all in New South Wales. Pacific Brands later pursued lower manufacturing costs and announced major reductions in its domestic production. By September 2010, Australian manufacturing had ended and 1,850 jobs had been cut. The decision attracted public outrage and media attention. Some former employees responded by forming Tuffys & Tuffetts underwear, acquiring much of Bonds' former equipment and rehiring dismissed workers. The next major ownership transition took place in 2016. On 28 April, Pacific Brands agreed to a transaction under which Hanesbrands would acquire the entire company. Completion on 15 July made Pacific Brands a wholly owned Hanesbrands subsidiary, bringing Bonds into a broader international underwear and apparel group. After Gildan Activewear acquired Hanesbrands, Bonds became part of Gildan's portfolio. The brand remains associated with Australian everyday clothing and operates from a head office in Kew, Melbourne. Its range includes men's, women's and children's underwear, socks, sleepwear and other apparel. Although its manufacturing model has changed from domestic production to an import-oriented structure, its brand identity remains linked to practical, accessible clothing and a long Australian textile history.
- 2016
Hanesbrands acquisition completed
[1]Hanesbrands completes its acquisition of Pacific Brands on 15 July, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary.
- 2010
Australian manufacturing ends
[1]Pacific Brands cuts 1,850 jobs and ends Bonds manufacturing in Australia by September.
- 2006
Domestic manufacturing remains substantial
[1]Bonds reportedly manufactures about 40 percent of its goods in Australia across three New South Wales sites.
- 2004
Pacific Brands is listed
[1]Pacific Brands Limited lists on the Australian Securities Exchange and the New Zealand Exchange.
- 2001
Transfer to Pacific Brands Holdings
[1]Bonds becomes part of the separately established Pacific Brands Holdings Pty Ltd.
- 1987
Pacific Dunlop acquisition
[1]Pacific Dunlop takes over the Bonds business.
- 1970
Merger with Coats Paton
[1]Bonds merges with Coats Paton Pty Ltd.
- 1927
Bonds Industries Limited is established
[1]Following the liquidation of the original company, Bonds Industries Limited is formed as a public company.
- 1923
Wentworthville spinning mill opens
[1]A cotton-spinning mill established at Wentworthville begins operations in October.
- 1918
Underwear production begins
[1]After moving to Camperdown, the company expands from hosiery into underwear manufacturing.
Products and positioning
Accessible Australian everyday apparel focused on comfort, practicality and broad household use, with particular strength in underwear, socks and sleepwear.
Underwear · 1918
Bonds underwear
Underwear is the core of the Bonds range and includes products for men, women and children. The category reflects the brand's historical development from hosiery and early twentieth-century undergarment manufacturing. Bonds positions these products as practical, comfortable everyday basics rather than specialist or luxury apparel.
Hosiery · 1917
Bonds socks and hosiery
Bonds socks and hosiery extend the company's original product heritage, which began with imported hosiery and progressed to domestic hosiery manufacturing in 1917. The range serves routine everyday use and complements the brand's underwear and family apparel assortment.
Sleepwear
Bonds sleepwear
Bonds sleepwear is part of the brand's broader everyday clothing offer. It is sold alongside underwear and socks and supports the brand's household-oriented positioning, with products available within a range serving men, women and children.
Children's apparel
Bonds children's clothing
The children's assortment includes underwear and other clothing designed for younger consumers. Its inclusion reinforces Bonds' role as a family apparel brand rather than a label focused solely on adult undergarments.
Brand decisions
2016
Sell Pacific Brands to HanesbrandsM&ABackground
Pacific Brands agreed to a transaction intended to transfer full ownership of the company and its brands to Hanesbrands.
Action taken
An agreement was signed on 28 April 2016, and the acquisition of 100 percent of Pacific Brands was completed on 15 July 2016.
Aftermath
Pacific Brands became a wholly owned Hanesbrands subsidiary, placing Bonds within Hanesbrands' international apparel portfolio.
2010
End Australian manufacturing to reduce costsStrategyBackground
Pacific Brands faced the cost pressures associated with domestic clothing production and sought to reduce manufacturing expenses.
Action taken
The company cut 1,850 jobs and ceased manufacturing in Australia by September 2010, shifting Bonds away from its previous domestic production model.
Aftermath
The decision generated public criticism and media coverage. Former employees subsequently formed Tuffys & Tuffetts underwear, using much of Bonds' former equipment and rehiring some dismissed workers.
Recent events
- 2016
Pacific Brands agrees to sale to Hanesbrands[1]
M&A
Pacific Brands entered an agreement on 28 April 2016 for Hanesbrands to acquire 100 percent of the company.
- 2016
Bonds becomes a Hanesbrands subsidiary[1]
M&A
The Pacific Brands acquisition was completed on 15 July 2016, making the business a wholly owned subsidiary of Hanesbrands.
- 2010
Pacific Brands reduces Australian manufacturing[1]
Other
Pacific Brands cut 1,850 jobs and ceased manufacturing in Australia by September 2010 as it sought to reduce manufacturing costs. The decision prompted public criticism and media coverage.
- 2004
Pacific Brands lists on the ASX and NZX[1]
Other
Pacific Brands Limited became listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and the New Zealand Exchange, giving the Bonds business a place within a listed apparel group.
- 2001
Bonds becomes part of Pacific Brands Holdings[1]
M&A
The Bonds operations were separated from Pacific Dunlop and transferred into Pacific Brands Holdings Pty Ltd.
- 1987
Pacific Dunlop takes over Bonds[1]
M&A
Pacific Dunlop acquired the Bonds business, placing the brand under a larger Australian industrial and consumer-products group.
- 1970
Bonds merges with Coats Paton[1]
M&A
Bonds Industries merged with Coats Paton Pty Ltd as part of a major restructuring of the business.
- 1927
Bonds company enters liquidation and is replaced by Bonds Industries Limited[1]
Other
The original George A. Bond & Co. Limited entered liquidation in December 1927. A new public company, Bonds Industries Limited, was subsequently established.
Sources1 sources
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