Silver Fleece was incorporated in 1951, that means we are over 70 years old and doing the same thing as we have always done. That is to knit and manufacture quality garments for a wide range of clients and requirements. Our experience over the years means that the Company has grown and developed an unlimited range of garments based on what our individual customers have asked us for.
Silver Fleece was started by Mr Tim Jovanovic. Tim came to Australia after the 2nd World War, and started working on the overland rail line helping to build the future transport network between east and west Australia.
When Tim purchased his first used, hand operated knitting machine, and started knitting and making school pullovers in his shed, Silver Fleece was born. On completion, the garments were hand delivered by bicycle, to the then large retail stores in Adelaide, who supplied most of the school uniforms to Adelaide schools. As demand grew, this little business expanded to a property on the corner of Stepney and Magill Roads. This property was acquired to develop the corner as we know it today.
Silver Fleece, moved to a premises that was formerly a furniture manufacturing factory in Tranmere, and started growing, with product offering, staffing and machinery. It was a time during the 70's, that rugby garments became very fashionable and with the purchase of circular knitting machines, rugby garments were knitted and manufactured and sold to Rowe and Jarman, a large sports store at the time. The garment proved so popular, that Rowe and Jarman opened a specific store in Chesser Street, just to retail these garments and they were called "Mr Tim's Rugby" in honor of the work and commitment of Mr Tim Jovanovic to build and purchase new machines for this product.
Over the years, Silver Fleece has supplied garments knitted and manufactured for;
Australian Rowing Team
Australian Cricket - test, ODI’s, sheffield shield, PM’s 11 and deaf cricket
2000 Sydney Olympics - 2000 replica Aussie Rules garments as memorabilia. These garments were copies of the garments used in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics demonstration match at the MCG.
Commonwealth Games knitwear of pure wool cable knit vests for the Australian Team
Crows garments - helped in the development of sample garments for the first Crows uniform
SANFL garments - for many years supplied to the SANFL, uniforms for the Junior teams
In 2003 Silver Fleece was sold to the current owner, Cathy Barton. Cathy worked passionately for Silver Fleece for 20 years prior to the purchase.
Since the early 2000's much of the machinery has been replaced with modern computer driven flat bed knitting machines. This has allowed the development of more precise and efficient knitting and the ability to knit bespoke products aided by computer design.
Manufacturing has remained a very "hands on" technique with particular care taken by the team throughout the knitting process to produce a quality product. This can range from baby blankets, school and corporate uniforms to sportswear, all using the best quality yarns available and guaranteed use of Australian wool. All yarns are OEKO certified for safe use next to skin.
Our staff are our greatest asset and are what make Silver Fleece the unique business it is. They are highly qualified and experienced, and most of all they care about the Silver Fleece brand and the customers they make garments for. Many have been employed by Silver Fleece for over 30 years.
