Quba & Co. ®
Quba & Co. was launched in 1996 by founders Jim Hartley and William Bees. Inspired by a shared love of sailing and the outdoor life, Jim and Will came up with the concept of using reclaimed canvas sailcloth to make one-off, customisable jackets. Quba & Co. was first established in Salcombe, Devon, with a workforce of just one (hugely dedicated) expert seamstress, producing handmade bespoke sailcloth jackets for Quba clients. Popular with locals, the jackets were soon also being requested by visiting yachtsmen and holidaymakers, and as word spread it became clear that the business would need to expand rapidly to meet demand. More than eighteen years later, Quba still sells the original recycled sailcloth jackets, plus sailcloth bags and holdalls; it also produces unique, nautically-inspired clothing for men and women. Fittingly, Quba's first employee is still with the company, and is now responsible for the manufacturing unit here in south Devon. With 15 stores in south and south-west England, Quba & Co. now employs more than 65 people and has big plans for the future. Despite this, the company has never forgotten its humble beginnings here in south Devon; having inspired Jim and Will in the first place, this unique area of coastline and countryside lies at the heart of each and every Quba design.