Mining magnates Andrew and Nicola Forrest buy Australian hat maker Akubra from Keir family

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A famous Australian hat now has a famous Australian owner. Hatmaker Akubra has been bought by mining magnates Andrew and Nicola Forrest after being owned by the same family for nearly a century and a half.

Transcript

00:00 A hat that's made headlines for 147 years.

00:11 We'd like to give you one of your hats.

00:16 With mining magnates Andrew and Nicola Forrest to take ownership of family owned hat maker

00:22 Akubra.

00:23 Absolute hats off to the Kerr family.

00:25 It's got to be hats on for Australia.

00:29 Australia is the winner out of this.

00:30 I've loved every minute of it.

00:32 It's had good times and bad times but ultimately I'm quite comfortable with the decision it's

00:40 made.

00:41 Tatarang, the Forrest's investment arm, also owns RM Williams and has promised similar

00:47 growth.

00:48 We're going to grow Akubra.

00:50 We're going to grow the workforce.

00:54 Akubra has become an Australian emblem, producing millions of hats for the Australian military.

00:59 It's also been a major employer in the Kempsey region.

01:02 It will make sure that the company stays here producing the famous Akubra hats in the Kempsey

01:08 Shire.

01:09 With his assets that he's got available to back the company to do more and bigger things,

01:13 I have to applaud that.

01:15 Akubra hats have been worn by celebrities, farmers, Olympians and even royals.

01:21 It's not known just how far Mr Forrest plans to expand the company but the Kerr family

01:26 says they're confident.

01:27 They put the iconic hat on the right man's head.

01:30 There's been a lot of tears from everyone but they understand and they can see the potential.

01:34 The new owners say the hats will stay handmade.

01:38 It's Australian made, it has to be made by Australian hands.

01:42 Brimming with pride and handing over a lasting legacy.

01:45 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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