company history

The Phillips & House Group

(founded in 1911)

Umbrellas have been made for at least three thousand years, originally as emblems of royalty. Phillips and House have been making umbrellas for almost 100 years. The company began trading in the early 1900s as an importer of materials for the umbrella and leathergoods trades. The original partners were Ebenezer Phillips, who had recently migrated from England and William House, a young first generation Australian.

The original Phillips & House Partners
Rear: Alfred House, Herbert S. House
Front: Ebenezer Phillips, William J. House

In 1911, one of Phillips & House's customer, an umbrella maker, suffered a fire and as a result decided to quit the business. The young partnership was left with large quantities of raw materials in stock and more on the water from England. They saw a way out, however, and with the aid of their customer's staff and some salvaged equipment, the partners became manufacturers themselves. In a very short time manufacturing overtook importing as their main business interest.

A few years later William House's younger brothers, Alfred and Herbert joined the growing business. Herbert was managing partner for many years until his retirement in 1959. Management of the company then passed jointly to Ralph and Douglas (sons respectively of Herbert and Alfred) who had both joined in the 1930s.

During the early 1930s the range was expanded to include beach umbrellas as well as the first telescopic rain umbrellas. At the same time, the once popular women's sunshade fell out of favour, to be replaced by brightly coloured rain umbrellas. At about this time the brand-name Shelta was introduced.

Skilled workers made Shelta a respected name in umbrellas

Our 1930s staff

Like many manufacturers, Phillips and House were adversely affected by the Second World War. Most of the younger staff enlisted and raw materials became almost impossible to obtain. Production was reduced to a trickle; for a number of years the only work consisted of recovering old umbrellas with blackout material. However a nucleus of skilled staff remained and at wars' end, large scale production soon resumed.

North Sydney 1953-1985

By 1953 demand for the firm's products was so strong that Phillips and House moved into their own factory in Union Street, North Sydney (see picture above). These premises served until 1985 and provided the base for a sustained period of growth; the company became an innovator of efficient production methods.

In 1956, Phillips and House obtained the Australian rights to the Knirps (in German, 'mischievous elf';) brand of folding umbrellas and built on this, with aggressive marketing, promotion and distribution, until folding umbrellas dominated the rain umbrella market. In sun umbrellas the company developed a number of locally made frames, including the typical Australian beach umbrella. Rising material and wage costs in the late 1970s made local production of rain umbrellas less competitive. Combined with the much improved quality of imported umbrellas, continued local production became impossible. During a five year program rain umbrella manufacturing was phased out, culminating in total imports by 1983.

Our 1980s staff

After the difficulties of this period the 1980s saw a return to strong growth, particularly in garden umbrellas. This upsurge in demand prompted the move to larger premises at Homebush - 15 km west of the centre of Sydney (See right) During the 1990s market umbrellas developed from a niche product to the most important category of sun umbrella; many of these umbrellas are fully imported and the rest are manufactured on imported frames. Local production has prospered through the growth of printed advertising and outdoor furniture cushions. In recent years the company has diversified into aluminium furniture.

Our 1980s directors, from left:
Ralph, Anthony, David House and
Douglas House

After the retirement of Ralph and Douglas House, the family tradition has continued with current directors David, Anthony and Julie House. Shelta has become synonymous with quality umbrellas and sun protection in Australia; this is due to the efforts of more than a thousand people employed since 1911. We are also grateful for the continued support of retailers and consumers.