| Pelaco International Pty Ltd[1] | |
| Trade Name: | Pelaco |
| Type: | Private company |
| Industry: | Retail |
| Foundation: | 1910s |
Pelaco was an Australian clothing manufacturer based in Melbourne. Pelaco is best known for its men's shirts. The Pelaco sign over its former factory in Richmond is a Heritage Victoria listed landmark.
The Pelaco brand was founded in the 1910s by James Kerr Pearson (born 31 July 1881 in Glasgow, Scotland — died 2 October 1950 in Richmond, Victoria) and James Lindsay Gordon Law (born 21 January 1881 in Ballarat, Victoria — died 18 February 1963, Fitzroy, Victoria). The company name came from the first two letters of its owners' surnames.[2]
From its inception, Pelaco's main product has been men's shirts.[2] [3]
The Pelaco company under Lindsay Law has been described as innovative in its approach to industrial relations.
Saturday morning work was discontinued in its predecessor business in 1908.[3] The company management appointed an "industrial relations officer" to mediate with employees in 1928.[3] Pelaco was one of the first companies in Australia to employ an industrial psychologist.[2] Lindsay Law came into conflict with unions and arbitration courts over the issues of piecework wages and child labour.[2]
In 1922, the company moved its head office and factory from elsewhere in Richmond to Goodwood Street, Richmond.[3] The "Pelaco" neon sign over the Goodwood Street factory was erected in 1939.[4] At the company's peak in the 1950s, it had ten factories across Australia.[3]
Australian football player Royce Hart was recruited to Richmond Football Club from Tasmanian team Clarence Football Club with the promise of "a new suit and six shirts".[5] The "six shirts" were "half a dozen Pelacos".[6]