Tanner Krolle

Tanner Krolle is a British leather-goods brand and manufacturer based in London. Its origins date to 1856, when Frederick Franz Krolle founded the business that developed into the Krolle leather-goods operation. The company’s history is closely associated with traditional English craftsmanship, bespoke travel equipment, and relationships with major department stores and luxury retailers. The business faced difficult trading conditions in the early twentieth century. During the 1920s, Frank Squires, a company salesman, introduced Albert Krolle to Frank Garrett, the managing director and chairman of R.T. Tanner and Co. Ltd. Garrett proposed moving the A. Krolle operation into spare space at R.T. Tanner’s premises at Dorset Rise. The arrangement combined the two businesses and helped preserve the Krolle operation, which subsequently traded as Tanner and Company. Its customers included Harrods, Asprey, Debenhams, Dickins and Jones, John Pound, Drews, and Finnigans, reflecting a focus on handcrafted leather goods supplied through established British retailers. The company expanded during the 1930s and 1940s, when Albert Krolle’s son Geoffrey joined the business. In addition to civilian leather products, Tanner and Co. received Ministry of Supply contracts for military equipment, including straps, gun-instrument covers, cockpit covers, and canvas-and-leather equipment. The company’s Dorset Rise premises were destroyed by bombing and fire in 1940, resulting in the loss of records, archive material, and historical pieces. Temporary premises were established at Wheatsheaf House on Carmelite Street, in a building formerly associated with the Daily Mail. By the end of the decade, R.T. Tanner and Co. had moved to Crayford and begun exporting to the United States, supplying stores such as Brooks, Saks, Gimbel, Crouch Fitzgerald, and London Harness. During the postwar period, Tanner broadened its travel range. Harrods remained a major customer, while Fortnum & Mason also carried the products. The range expanded beyond traditional leather goods to include zip suitcases, Pullman bags, attaché cases, and document cases. In the 1950s, Tanner and Co. acquired another high-quality leather manufacturer, J.D. Watts. On 23 November 1956, Tanner Krolle and Co. Ltd. was formed, restoring the Krolle name to the company’s trading identity. The 1960s and 1970s brought further retail and export growth. The Tanner Krolle name began appearing on products sold through Fortnum & Mason and later Harrods, with Selfridges and other department stores added to the distribution network. The company also expanded exports to continental Europe. Its reputation was reinforced by high-profile private customers, including Cary Grant, Jackie Onassis, Diana, Princess of Wales, and King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. These associations reflected the brand’s positioning in made-to-measure luggage, travel accessories, and equestrian or specialty leather goods rather than mass-market fashion. Tanner Krolle was acquired by Chanel in the early 1990s, with Alain Wertheimer associated with the acquisition. In 2003, a private-equity group acquired the company. The available reference material does not identify the later ownership structure. The brand was relaunched in late 2019 with a Townhouse store on Cadogan Place in Belgravia. Its contemporary offer includes leather bags, luggage, small leather goods, and bespoke trunks designed for watches, jewellery, drinks, and other specialized uses. Tanner Krolle’s current identity therefore combines a long British manufacturing history with luxury retail, bespoke commissioning, and traditional leather craftsmanship.

Tanner Krolle traces its origins to 1856, when Frederick Franz Krolle established the business in Britain. The company later became associated with Albert Krolle and developed a specialist reputation for leather goods supplied to prominent retailers. During the difficult trading conditions of the 1920s, salesman Frank Squires introduced Albert Krolle to Frank Garrett of R.T. Tanner and Co. Ltd. Garrett offered space at R.T. Tanner’s Dorset Rise premises, allowing the A. Krolle business to combine with R.T. Tanner and trade as Tanner and Company. The company served leading British retailers including Harrods, Asprey, Debenhams, Dickins and Jones, John Pound, Drews, and Finnigans. Geoffrey Krolle, Albert’s son, joined during the 1930s and 1940s, a period in which the firm also supplied military equipment under Ministry of Supply tenders. Its work included straps, covers for gun instruments and aircraft cockpits, and other canvas-and-leather equipment. The Dorset Rise premises were destroyed by wartime bombing and fire in 1940, causing the loss of business records, archives, and historical products. The firm temporarily operated from Wheatsheaf House on Carmelite Street before R.T. Tanner and Co. moved to Crayford. After the war, the company entered the United States market and supplied stores including Brooks, Saks, Gimbel, Crouch Fitzgerald, and London Harness. Its civilian range expanded to include zip suitcases, Pullman bags, attaché cases, and document cases. Harrods remained a particularly important customer, joined by Fortnum & Mason. In the 1950s, Tanner and Co. acquired J.D. Watts, another maker of high-quality leather goods. The company adopted the name Tanner Krolle and Co. Ltd. on 23 November 1956. Expansion continued through the 1960s and 1970s. Tanner Krolle products appeared at Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Selfridges, and other department stores, while exports grew in continental Europe. The brand became associated with prominent customers and bespoke commissions, including travel luggage used by Cary Grant and Diana, Princess of Wales, equestrian accessories commissioned by Jackie Onassis, school trunks for Princes William and Harry, and products supplied to Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The company was purchased by Chanel in the early 1990s, with Alain Wertheimer presiding over the acquisition. A private-equity group acquired Tanner Krolle in 2003. Ownership after that transaction is not identified in the available reference material. In late 2019, the brand was relaunched through a Townhouse store on Cadogan Place in Belgravia. Its present offer centers on leather bags, luggage, small leather goods, and bespoke trunks for watches, jewellery, drinks, and other specialized applications.

• 2019

  Brand relaunch in Belgravia

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  Tanner Krolle relaunched from a Townhouse store on Cadogan Place, presenting bags, luggage, small leather goods, and bespoke trunks.

• 2003

  Private-equity acquisition

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  A private-equity group acquired Tanner Krolle.

• 1990

  Acquired by Chanel

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  Tanner Krolle was acquired by Chanel in the early 1990s.

• 1956

  Tanner Krolle and Co. Ltd. formed

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  The company adopted the Tanner Krolle and Co. Ltd. name on 23 November 1956, returning the Krolle family name to the formal trading identity.

• 1949

  Postwar export expansion

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  Following the move to Crayford, the business began exporting leather goods to United States retailers and expanded its travel-product range.

• 1940

  Dorset Rise premises destroyed

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  Bombing and fire destroyed the company’s Dorset Rise building, along with its records, archive material, and historical pieces.

• 1920

  Combination with R.T. Tanner and Co.

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  During a period of slower trading, the A. Krolle business moved into R.T. Tanner and Co.’s Dorset Rise premises and began trading as Tanner and Company.

• 1856

  Business founded

  [1]Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org

  Frederick Franz Krolle founded the business that became associated with the Tanner Krolle name.

A heritage British luxury leather-goods maker focused on handcrafted travel products, bespoke trunks, and specialist leather accessories. The brand emphasizes traditional workmanship, customization, and an association with prestigious department stores and private clients.

• Leather goods

  Leather bags

  Tanner Krolle’s leather bags form part of its core luxury offering. They reflect the company’s historic emphasis on hand-finished leatherwork and are positioned as durable, refined accessories for everyday use and travel.

• Luggage

  Travel luggage

  The company has long produced travel luggage, including zip suitcases and Pullman bags. Its luggage heritage is linked to international travel and to private clients who commissioned or used specialized cases for extended journeys.

• Leather accessories

  Small leather goods

  Small leather goods extend the brand’s offer beyond luggage and larger bags. The category covers compact leather accessories made in the same traditional luxury-leather context as the company’s travel products.

• Specialty luggage

  Bespoke trunks

  Bespoke trunks are a distinctive part of Tanner Krolle’s modern positioning. The company specializes in customized trunks for watches, jewellery, drinks, and other specialized contents, combining protective function with personalized interiors and luxury presentation.

• Specialty leather goods

  Equestrian accessories

  Tanner Krolle has produced or accepted commissions for equestrian accessories. This work forms part of the brand’s broader bespoke tradition, in which leather craftsmanship is adapted to the requirements of individual clients.

• 2019

  Luxury retail relaunchStrategy

  Background

  The heritage leather-goods business returned to the market with a renewed retail presentation.

  Action taken

  Tanner Krolle relaunched through a Townhouse store on Cadogan Place in Belgravia, offering leather bags, luggage, small leather goods, and bespoke trunks.

  Aftermath

  The relaunch reaffirmed the brand’s focus on British luxury leather craftsmanship and highly specialized bespoke travel products.

  Source

• 2003

  Private-equity acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Following its period under Chanel ownership, Tanner Krolle underwent another change in ownership.

  Action taken

  A private-equity group acquired the company.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not specify the acquiring group or subsequent ownership structure.

  Source

• 1990

  Chanel acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Tanner Krolle had developed a heritage position in luxury leather goods, luggage, and bespoke products.

  Action taken

  Chanel acquired the company in the early 1990s, with Alain Wertheimer associated with the transaction.

  Aftermath

  Tanner Krolle became associated with a major international luxury group before its later sale to a private-equity group.

  Source

• 1956

  Restore the Krolle name to the company identityStrategy

  Background

  After Tanner and Co. acquired J.D. Watts, the business continued to develop its luxury leather-goods activities.

  Action taken

  On 23 November 1956, the company formed Tanner Krolle and Co. Ltd.

  Aftermath

  The Krolle family name became part of the formal trading identity used during the company’s later retail and export expansion.

  Source

• 1920

  Move into R.T. Tanner premises and combine operationsStrategy

  Background

  The A. Krolle business was experiencing slower trading in the early 1920s. A relationship between Frank Squires, Albert Krolle, and Frank Garrett created an opportunity to use spare space at R.T. Tanner and Co.’s Dorset Rise premises.

  Action taken

  The A. Krolle operation moved into the R.T. Tanner premises and the businesses traded through an equal partnership as Tanner and Company.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement helped preserve the Krolle business and supported continued sales to established British retailers.

  Source

1. 1Tanner Krolleen.wikipedia.org