Grenfell cloth was named after Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, a doctor who pioneered a medical mission in one of the world’s bleakest and most inhospitable outposts along the Labrador coast of Newfoundland.

Grenfell cloth was developed especially for sir Wilfred by a Mr Walter Haythornthwaite, a mill owner in Lancashire in the 1920’s, and whose name still graces the company that sells Grenfell Coats, Haythornthwaite & Sons Ltd.

Sir Wilfred talked in a hall t Burnley, Lancashire, about what was required in cloth for artic clothing:

“The right cloth for Labrador mission workers should be light…strong…weatherproof…and windproof. Above all it must allow body moisture to escape.”

Walter Haythornthwaite accepted that specification as a challenge and after a year of experimentation produced what became known over the world as Grenfell Cloth.

Sir Wilfred accepted the cloth which he described as “…light, durable and very fine looking. It really has been a boon to us…”

In honor of Sir Wilfred, whose name is still remembered and honored in Newfoundland, where a university college is named after him, the cloth became known as Grenfell Cloth.

Since then, Grenfell has risen to challenges around the world…

Welcome to the world of Grenfell Coats.