The Phillips & House Group

(founded in 1911)

Phillips and House began trading in the early 1900s as an importer of materials for the umbrella and leathergoods trades. The original partners were Ebenezer Phillips, who had recently migrated from England and William House, a young first generation Australian.

The original Phillips & House Partners Rear: Alfred House, Herbert S. House Front: Ebenezer Phillips, William J. House

In 1911, one of Phillips & House's customer, an umbrella maker, suffered a fire and went out of business. Phillips and House took over large quantities of raw materials and more on the water from England. With the aid of their customer's staff and some salvaged equipment, the partners became manufacturers themselves. In a very short time manufacturing overtook importing as their main business interest.

A few years later William House's younger brothers, Alfred and Herbert joined the growing business. Herbert was managing partner for many years until his retirement in 1959. Management of the company then passed jointly to Ralph and Douglas (sons respectively of Herbert and Alfred) who had both joined in the 1930s..

During the early 1930s the range was expanded to include beach umbrellas as well as the first telescopic rain umbrellas. At the same time, the once popular women's sunshade fell out of favour, to be replaced by brightly coloured rain umbrellas. At about this time the brand-name Shelta was introduced.

Skilled workers made Shelta a respected name in umbrellas

Our 1930s staff

Like many manufacturers, Phillips and House was adversely affected by the Second World War. Most of the younger staff enlisted, and raw materials became almost impossible to obtain. Production was reduced to a trickle; for a number of years the only work consisted of recovering old umbrellas with blackout material. However a nucleus of skilled staff remained and at wars' end, large scale production soon resumed.

North Sydney 1953-1985

In the boom years after the war, Phillips and House moved into their own factory in Union Street, North Sydney (see picture above). These premises served until 1985 and provided the base for a period of sustained growth. The company became an innovator of efficient production methods.

Rising material and wage costs in the late 1970s, and reduced tariff protection, made local production of rain umbrellas impossible. From 1983, Taiwan then China became the source of all Shelta rain umbrellas. Directors worked closely with manufacturers to achieve a product of good quality and in tune with the Australian market.

Our 1980s staff

Homebush premises 1985-2004

The 1980s saw strong growth, particularly in garden umbrellas. This upsurge in demand prompted the move to larger premises at - see above. Then, during the 1990s larger market umbrellas became the most important category of sun umbrella. Many of these umbrellas are fully imported and the rest are manufactured here on imported frames.

Shelta also became active in screen printed advertising umbrellas, both rain umbrellas, and cafe style umbrellas.

After the retirement of Ralph and Douglas House, the family tradition continued with directors David, Anthony and Julie House. In 2007, Martin McCoy joined our team of directors.

Our present staff

Our present directors. Front: Martin McCoy and Anthony House, Rear: David House and Julie House

In the new millennium, Shelta moved into garden furniture and lifestyle products. This is now the largest part of Shelta’s range, and Shelta is a leader in this exciting new field.

In 2004, with more space required by the furniture range, Shelta moved again to even larger premises at Prospect.

Shelta has become synonymous with quality umbrellas and sun protection and outdoor furniture in Australia; this is due to the efforts of more than a thousand people employed since 1911. We are also grateful for the continued support of retailers and consumers.

Our current Head Office at Prospect