Meet the Founder – Rodney Taylor
Rodney was born and grew up in the West Yorkshire Mill town Huddersfield, known for its textile manufacturing, there is no surprise that as an ambitious young man this would be the chosen path for his career. Rodney left college in 1961 and started his career as a management apprentice at Shaw Brothers, Larchfield Mills in Huddersfield, a fully vertical woollen and worsted manufacturer. He served an apprenticeship over the next five years from 1961 until 1966 which involved learning the skills in every department in the mill following the process from raw wool to the finished product, skills that would stay with him throughout his career.
As part of his apprenticeship Rodney attended Huddersfield Technical College where after 5 years of studying he passed City and Guilds in Textiles for Colour, Art, Design and Technology.
Rodney’s passion for the textile industry combined with his drive and ambition led to progression. In 1974 he moved to John Crowthers (Milnsbridge) Ltd the largest vertical woollen manufacturer in the UK as a Sales Executive and then in 1977 he became Managing Director of Neil & Neil part of the Cope Sportswear group, plus in 1979 Skopes , both successful clothing businesses manufacturing suits, jackets and trousers supplying large mail order companies, and large household named retailers.
However, it was in 1982 that Rodney took the bold decision to become owner of Stromberg Menswear Ltd. Through Rodney’s strong connections, built up throughout his career, he was able to design and manufacture quality garments for well-known designer brands such as Burberry and main stream mail order/retail including Littlewoods, Debenhams, Grattans and EmpireStores.
Rodney has always been a keen golfer, with a handicap as low as 3 and a past Captain of Longley Park in 1982 and Huddersfield Golf Club in 2002, as well as President of the Halifax, Huddersfield & District Union of Golf Clubs in 2000; he is well placed to apply his knowledge and experience to designing a golf trouser range that will give the golfer style, performance and comfort. It is his uncompromising approach to quality, style and attention to detail that has over the past 16 years helped to build such a strong and successful brand in the golf market, despite the tough competition. As a brand Stromberg pushes the boundaries, creating the first ‘funky’ trouser design for golf with the Mijas trouser. It continually innovates, with new technology such as 3-ply in its Wintra trouser and Windshirt, designed to enhance the players experience and performance on the course. Stromberg is focused on delivering the complete range with tops and jumpers to complement their trouser range.
Rodney was joined by his son Richard in 2010, also a keen golfer and Stromberg continues to be a family business based in West Yorkshire. With the introduction of another generation this ensures the future growth of the brand for successive years.
