140 Years Young
Celebrating the anniversary of one of the stationery industry's longstanding members.
Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 9/16/2010 12:11:56 AM
Through the rollercoaster of economic ups and downs, there are not many companies that reach a centennial year, let alone grow beyond that milestone. And in an industry such as the gift industry, which is primarily entrepreneurial, this is an even rarer occurrence - but not unheard of. Such a company is C. R. Gibson, celebrating its 140th anniversary.
 Founder John Gibson |
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Founded by John Gibson, the company has been in the business of helping families preserve memories since 1870. Originally named The John Gibson Company, it became C.R. Gibson & Company in the early part of the 20th century, when Gibson's nephew Charles took over leadership. It was Charles who introduced the concept of creating wedding albums and baby books from the elaborate wedding and baptismal certificates for which the company was known. These albums have become a foundational mainstay on which the company has grown.
Although C.R. Gibson was acquired by CSS Industries in 2007, the company still maintains the family-oriented focus and entrepreneurial spirit that has carried it forward successfully for 140 years. With as much of an eye to attending to the welfare of his employees, whom he regarded as part of the C.R. Gibson family, as growing and preserving the company, Charles Gibson steered the company steadily through the economic highs and lows of the Roaring '20s, the Great Depression and World War II.
From a small family printing business, C.R. Gibson grew into an industry leader.
Bob Bowman, the grandson of Charles Gibson, took over as president of the company in 1940. With the post-war return to prosperity, he moved the growing company's headquarters from New York City to Norwalk, CT, where operations continued until the company's more recent relocation to Nashville, TN.
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Under Bowman's hands-on leadership, the company flourished. It is during his tenure that the company we know as today's C.R. Gibson truly came into being. Bowman himself often worked with the head designer on product development. With a developing reputation as a fashion-forward company, C.R. Gibson was an early adopter of designer licensing, tapping into the licensed designs of the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Gloria Vanderbilt and Waverly in the 1970s. The company has continued its licensing relationship with Waverly to this day.
As times change, so has C.R. Gibson. One of the things that has helped keep the company moving forward over the past 140 years is its ability to adapt to change - in technology, consumer trends and business conditions - and adopt and invest in what's new and good for moving the company and its people forward into the future.
We would love your feedback!
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Burton + Burton Celebrates 30 Years
Mar 13, 2012 -
Gift Industry Gets Own Private Equity Co.
Aug 4, 2009 -
C.R. Gibson Names Gilner President
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