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.
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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]