Adelaide-based Australian boot maker Rossi Boots plans expansion into international markets, under new owners and with fresh investment.

Founded in 1908 by Arthur Rossiter, the fourth-generation family business creates premium-quality boots from Australian leather. Among the company’s achievements was the supply of 110,000 boots for soldiers in the First World War.

In 2020, Propel Group and GP Securities acquired the brand with Arthur’s great-grandson, Paul Rossiter maintaining a shareholding and a seat on the board. With that deal, Rossi Boots joined Propel’s brands Driza-Bone and regional outfitters RB Sellars.

Under new management, the company is building a factory in Adelaide and investing in technology to create waterproof leather from Australian hide tanned in Geelong, Victoria.

Rossi’s global brand GM Peter Abbott said: “We are committed to designing and crafting our built-for-purpose boots in Australia and continuing to work with our international production partners to produce our range of quality products.”

The company plans to expand sales into key European markets via an omnichannel business model.