Bukta

In 1879 Edward Buck and Sons founded the Bukta company, which initially produced shorts for soldiers fighting in the Boer War. They soon established themselves as the first brand to produce sportswear equipment.

At first less than 30 people were employed in making up sports shirts, with the girl machinists using manually operated treadle sewing machines and paying for their own sewing cotton. They were paid on piece work. After a few years other items of sportswear such as shorts, blazers and trousers were made.

In 1884 the English football team Nottingham Forest was pictured wearing kit produced by Bukta, and since then a number other teams, including Manchester United and Arsenal, have also worn the Bukta brand, with its logo of a flying buck.

The company was one of the first to produce uniforms for the Scout and Guide movement, started in 1908 and 1910 respectively. They also provided underwear and hospital and tropical uniforms for the British Army during the First World War.

In 2005 the Bukta brand was re-launched after an absence of more than six years, aimed at up-market independent stores such as Selfridges.