Who are we? | McDiarmids

Who we are:

A well-shod legacy

We are a true family business dating back to our founder James McDiarmid who commenced an apprenticeship as a boot maker with local footwear manufacturer John Allen in 1884. He later formed a partnership with his colleague Samuel McDonald in 1897 and called the business McDonald & McDiarmid. During their partnership, branches were opened in Waimate, Timaru & Ashburton and an additional store was opened in Thames Street Oamaru. The factory had over 40 staff and all footwear was finished by hand.

In 1899 James bought out McDonald and at the toss of a coin he relocated to Invercargill to set up his own business. The manufacturing side of the business ceased in 1916.

James McDiarmid passed management of McDiarmid’s to his son Ewart in 1920 and he built the current premises in 1928. The site was well known for its prominent sign in the shape of a boot.

McDiarmid’s is Oamaru’s longest operating family business and is in its fourth generation of family ownership.

Locally focused, nationally trusted, quality assured, independently sourced.