International Status     /     History

CQC was originally founded as the Chelsea Quilt Company following WWII in 1945, by Norman Goldwater, and was principally concerned with the manufacture of Quality Bed coverings. The company was based in Chelsea, London. Following major company investment and expansion the company moved to new premises in Battersea, London.

It was here in 1963, that Bed coverings made way for the manufacture of Sleeping bags for the UK MoD. A specialist area that remains with CQC to this day. In 1967, the company relocated to Barnstaple, North Devon, in the West Country. For four years manufacture was carried out in various premises, until 1971 when the company located to its present premises on the Pottington Business Park in Barnstaple. By 1972 the company name was changed to CQC and the expansion of CQC into the specialist manufacture of military products continued, resulting in a doubling of the factory capacity in 1977. In 1978, the company was acquired by the British Land Company Ltd, and during 1981, CQC was awarded the prestigious Queens Award to Industry.

In 1986, CQC was acquired by the Avon Rubber Group. In 1999 CQC was acquired by the present Directors, taking CQC back into private ownership.

The earliest record of specialist Military Textile equipment dates from outset of the Roman Empire, around 40 BC. Up until that date, armies were generally disorganised untrained 'soldiers' recruited locally during conflicts. Payment was limited to the value of 'loot' available to the victors. Likewise, food, weapons and medical supplies were also obtained day by day.

It was the General Caius Marius who radically reformed the previous system, involved the creation of the first truly professional fighting force, he introduced salaries (often paid in salt), pensions, and most radically of all - training. For the first time uniforms, weapons and equipment were standardised and it was during this period the first true rucksacks appeared, each carrying around 90lbs including up to 30 days of provisions. These new innovations resulted in a superbly efficient fighting force and ensured the success of the Roman Empire, across Europe and North Africa.

It is in homage to the earliest 'prototype' of specialist equipment, that the new CQC logo has been developed using as a basis the distinctive pattern carried on the earliest packs carried by these soldiers who became known as Marius's Mules.