About Dunkelman & Son
Dunkelman & Son Ltd are a Northamptonshire based wholesaler and manufacturer of high quality shoe and leather care products and accessories. Originally founded in 1946 by Hockey Player Frederick Francis Dunkelman, he started by producing hockey sticks in his small workshop in Battersea, London. With his passion for working with wood, Freddie identified an opportunity in the market and began, by hand, creating shoe care products, shoe horns, shoe trees, shoe polishes and brushes. During the 1950s, Dunkelman & Son’s expansion of their shoe care range led to them moving to new premises by the end of the decade.
Dunkelman grew and as it’s reputation increased, Freddie realised that the majority of his direct customers manufactured shoes within Northamptonshire.In 1965, Dunkelmen moved to the town of Desborough to start production and distribution from central England.
Freddie Dunkelman retired in 2007, leaving his sons and daughter to continue to run the business. Less than 10 years later, Dunkelman & Son was acquired by Alma F.R.C, a family-owned French business with a long history in shoe care spanning three generations. Dunkelman, trading with a range name of Dasco (‘Dunkelman and Son Co.’) now sits alongside group ranges Saphir Medaille d’Or, Saphir Beaute du Cuir, AVEL, Tarrago, Tacco and Waproo Australia.
In 2018, Dunkelman moved to a purpose-built 3.3-acre site in Desborough, with 41,000 square feet of offices, warehouse and production facilities further expanding the space for manufacturing and development on the edge of town. In 2024, Dunkelman & Son revived it’s legacy of manufacturing shoe trees in Northamptonshire, the heart of British shoemaking.
For all of your shoe care needs, from shoe trees and brushes to creams, polishes and protector sprays, we have you covered. We’d love to hear from you!
