Industry Eye: Frank Thomas acquires BKS leathers
Company to sponsor Toseland in 2008
THE FRANK Thomas Group has acquired the British-made BKS premium leathers brand and is to sponsor two-times WSB champion, MotoGP rookie and apprentice Manxie James Toseland in BKS kit.
Toseland is the first professional racer ever backed by the brand and will be the only MotoGP contender sporting British leathers.
BKS, which was established in 1986 by Brian Sansom, has supplied custom suits for celebrities including Robbie Williams, Daniel Day Lewis and even His Royal Pissheadness Prince William.
A limited range of BKS off-the-peg clothing – including a James Toseland replica suit – will be launched in 52 selected Frank Thomas dealerships later this year. The brand’s current made-to-measure suits, which retail at approximately £2000, will continue to be manufactured by BKS founder Sansom and his team.
‘The popularity of the new range will determine the future retail direction of BKS,’ says Frank Thomas Group managing director Steven Franklin. ‘Acquiring BKS was a very important strategic move for the group and it gives us a premium leathers brand to complement the existing mid-range and value propositions of Frank Thomas and Lewis respectively.’
