Fulton
Fulton Umbrellas is the UK's largest premium umbrella brand, founded in 1956. The company designs, manufactures, and sells premium folding, walking, automatic, and UV-protective umbrellas to consumers and wholesale partners in the UK and internationally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Fulton does
Fulton Umbrellas (legal entity A Fulton Company Ltd) is a UK-based manufacturer and retailer of premium umbrellas, founded in 1956 and headquartered in London. The company operates as the United Kingdom's largest premium umbrella brand and holds Royal Warrants from the British Royal Family — previously from Queen Elizabeth II and The Queen Mother, with umbrellas currently carried by Queen Camilla and other royals. Fulton produces a comprehensive portfolio across folding (Tiny, Minilite, Superslim, Mini Invertor), walking, automatic, UV-protection (UPF 30+ to 50+), golf, and children's umbrellas, plus licensed designer collections with William Morris and The National Gallery and a Diamond Collection luxury tier, with retail prices spanning approximately £14 to £120. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional ownership, parent, or subsidiaries, and employs between 251 and 500 people.
The company's core technical capability is in-house mechanical engineering of fiberglass umbrella frames, every one of which holds a registered patent or design and is wind-tunnel tested under simulated storm conditions. Additional proprietary features include UV-protective canopy fabrics, automatic opening mechanisms with safety shafts, and trademarked model families (Birdcage, Tornado, Typhoon, Storm, Hurricane, Windbreaker). Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales via the owned DTC e-commerce storefront fultonumbrellas.com (with free UK shipping over £30 and DPD Next Day Delivery) supplemented by retail/wholesale partnerships for physical retail distribution and licensing royalties on designer collaborations. Geographic focus is primarily the United Kingdom with global shipping available, though EU deliveries are currently temporarily suspended. Marketing is multi-channel, combining organic social presence on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn with email capture and content-driven campaigns anchored by cultural-institution collaborations.
Fulton firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fulton
- Legal name
- A Fulton Company Ltd
- Website
- https://fultonumbrellas.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Fulton Umbrellas is the UK's largest premium umbrella brand, founded in 1956. The company designs, manufactures, and sells premium folding, walking, automatic, and UV-protective umbrellas to consumers and wholesale partners in the UK and internationally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fulton industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Umbrellas
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear) (IMAOAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings) (IMADAIAN)
Keywords
Where Fulton is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Fulton business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Umbrella Product Sales: One-time purchase model for premium umbrellas ranging from compact folding designs to luxury walking umbrellas. Revenue generated from direct consumer sales via e-commerce and wholesale to retail partners.
- Designer Collaborations: Licensed designer umbrella collections featuring William Morris and National Gallery artwork, creating premium product lines with higher price points.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level compact umbrellas |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range umbrellas with enhanced features |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium luxury collection |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Designer collaborations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Fulton product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fulton manufactures and sells premium umbrellas for individual consumers, offering compact folding, walking, automatic, windproof, UV-protective, golf, and children's designs. Every frame is engineered in-house by mechanical engineers, wind-tunnel tested, and protected by registered patents and trademarks. The lineup also includes licensed designer collections featuring William Morris patterns and artworks from The National Gallery, plus a luxury Diamond Collection tier.
Product overview
Fulton Umbrellas is the United Kingdom's largest premium umbrella brand, founded in 1956. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of umbrella products across multiple categories: compact folding umbrellas (including Tiny, Minilite, Superslim, and Mini Invertor series), walking umbrellas, automatic umbrellas with one-touch opening, windproof Performance Range models, UV-protective sun umbrellas, golf umbrellas, and children's umbrellas. The product lineup is organized by target demographic (Women, Men, Kids) and by function (Automatic, Manual, UV Protection, Windproof). Key differentiators include designer collaborations with William Morris (Morris & Co. collection featuring iconic patterns like Strawberry Thief and Blackthorn) and The National Gallery (featuring masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, and others), plus a premium Luxury/Diamond Collection tier. Every Fulton frame is designed in-house with registered patents, wind-tunnel tested, and the company has held Royal Warrants from British Royal Family members. The brand positions itself at the intersection of thoughtful engineering, catwalk fashion design, and enduring quality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- William Morris by Fulton: Exclusive collaboration umbrella collection featuring iconic William Morris patterns and botanical prints
- The National Gallery by Fulton
- Diamond Collection
Products and services
- Luxury Umbrellas Collection Premium-tier umbrellas crafted from finest materials with meticulous attention to detail, offering exceptional durability and timeless aesthetic. Includes signature styles such as The Princess, The Marquise, and The Asscher, priced £80-£120.
- Women's Umbrellas Elegant compact folding and statement umbrellas designed for women, including automatic, manual, UV-protective, and walking styles in fashionable prints and patterns.
- Men's Umbrellas Understated yet sophisticated umbrellas for men featuring compact folding designs and classic walking styles, plus a dedicated Performance Range (windproof/wind-resistant). Built with Fulton signature quality for professional, smart aesthetics.
- Kids' Umbrellas Bright, colorful children's umbrellas with fun prints, lightweight frames, and easy-to-use mechanisms sized for children. Includes the Funbrella series (e.g., Bella The Unicorn) and Heart Junior models.
- Golf Umbrellas Extra-large canopy golf umbrellas engineered for maximum coverage and performance, with robust wind-resistant frames suitable for golf courses and outdoor sports.
- UV Protection Umbrellas Umbrellas with specialized UV-blocking canopies providing protection from both rain and harmful sun rays (UPF 30+ to UPF 50+), available in men's and women's styles.
- Folding Umbrellas Compact portable umbrellas designed for easy carrying in bags, available with automatic and manual opening mechanisms. Includes Superslim, Tiny, Minilite, and Mini Invertor series.
- Walking Umbrellas Full-length traditional umbrellas for city commutes and countryside walks, offering generous coverage with classic styling and robust construction.
- Automatic Umbrellas One-touch automatic opening umbrellas for instant rain protection, with safety shafts to prevent accidental opening. Available in compact folding and full-length walking styles for men and women.
- Birdcage Umbrellas Signature dome-style umbrellas with transparent canopies offering full visibility while providing protection from rain and sun, available in various prints and patterns. A registered Fulton trademark.
- Diamond Collection Luxury umbrella sub-brand featuring premium materials and exclusive designs at the top of Fulton's pricing tier (£80-£120).
- William Morris Collection Exclusive licensed umbrella collection featuring iconic William Morris patterns including Strawberry Thief and Blackthorn botanical prints. Available in Minilite UV, Tiny, Bloomsbury, Kensington, Superslim, and Birdcage designs, priced £25-£42.
- The National Gallery Collection Exclusive licensed umbrella collection featuring iconic masterpieces from The National Gallery London, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, Bosschaert, and other renowned artists. Available in Tiny, Minilite, Bloomsbury, and Birdcage styles.
- Best Sellers Collection Most popular umbrellas including Tornado 1, Typhoon 1, Storm 1, Birdcage 1, Magnum Auto, Open & Close Superslim, Eco Planet 2 UV, and Commissioner styles, typically priced £30-£40.
- Performance Range (Windproof) Wind-resistant and windproof umbrellas engineered for demanding weather conditions, including Cyclone, Hurricane, Vortex, and Windbreaker trademarked models with reinforced fiberglass frames wind-tunnel tested under simulated storms.
- Keep Dry Pouch Protective carrying cases and pouches for umbrellas, designed to keep bags dry and umbrellas contained when stored. Priced at £12.
- New Arrivals Latest umbrella designs recently added to the collection, including new prints and seasonal offerings such as Chiswick, Lumio, Curio 2 UV, Tiny 2, and National Gallery Bloomsbury 2 UV variants.
Companies that use Fulton
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Fulton technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Fulton partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Royal Collection TrustcoreCollaboration with Royal Collection Trust for the 'Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style' exhibition at King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace. Seven Royal Warrant holders including Fulton Umbrellas created commemorative products celebrating the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth. Proceeds support Royal Collection Trust's operational costs and public engagement mission.
- William MorriscoreExclusive licensed collection featuring iconic William Morris patterns and botanical prints on Fulton umbrellas. Combines Victorian design heritage with contemporary weather protection technology.
- The National GallerycoreExclusive licensed collection featuring iconic masterpieces from The National Gallery's collection, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, Canaletto, and Stubbs. Transforms renowned artworks into practical everyday umbrellas.
- BurberryminorRoyal Warrant holder co-participant in Royal Collection Trust collaboration for Queen Elizabeth II centenary exhibition merchandise.
- Launer LondonminorRoyal Warrant holder co-participant in Royal Collection Trust collaboration for Queen Elizabeth II centenary exhibition merchandise.
- Corgi SocksminorRoyal Warrant holder co-participant in Royal Collection Trust collaboration for Queen Elizabeth II centenary exhibition merchandise.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Fulton competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Totes: One of the most recognized umbrella brands globally, with extensive mass-market and mid-tier distribution. Directly comparable to Fulton as a consumer umbrella manufacturer with broad product portfolio across price points and weather-protection categories.
- Blunt Umbrellas: New Zealand-based premium umbrella brand known for patented radial tensioning system and engineering-led design. Directly comparable to Fulton as a premium-priced umbrella specialist focused on wind-resistant engineered frames.
- Senz: Dutch storm-umbrella brand famous for asymmetric aerodynamic design tested in wind tunnels. Comparable to Fulton on the engineering/storm-resistance positioning and premium price tiers.
- Knirps: German heritage umbrella brand, particularly strong in compact folding pocket umbrellas in the European market. Comparable to Fulton as a long-established premium umbrella manufacturer with global distribution.
- London Undercover: UK-based premium umbrella brand focused on fashion-forward prints and traditional construction. Comparable to Fulton as a UK heritage umbrella specialist with design-led positioning and a similar price band.
- Davek: US-based premium umbrella brand emphasizing lifetime guarantee and durability. Comparable to Fulton as a premium-priced umbrella manufacturer competing on engineering quality and brand promise.
Broad incumbents
- Hunter: UK heritage rainwear brand originating in Wellington boots, now offering umbrellas and outerwear. Adjacent competitor because it overlaps with Fulton in the UK premium wet-weather category and shares the British heritage brand positioning.
- Barbour: Iconic UK heritage lifestyle brand with Royal Warrants, spanning outerwear, accessories, and footwear. Comparable to Fulton as a Royal Warrant-holding British heritage brand with overlapping premium positioning and customer demographics.
- Burberry: Global British luxury brand holding Royal Warrants and overlapping with Fulton in premium rainwear, accessories, and gift categories. Comparable as a UK luxury heritage brand, and a co-participant in the Royal Collection Trust centenary programme.
Others
- Ted Baker: UK heritage lifestyle brand with gifting and accessories overlap. Comparable to Fulton as a UK-based premium accessories brand competing for similar gifting-occasion and lifestyle-gift spend, particularly around seasonal purchase moments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Fulton social profiles
Digital presenceFulton financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fulton leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Fulton funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fulton M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fulton
What does Fulton do?
Fulton manufactures and sells premium umbrellas for individual consumers, offering compact folding, walking, automatic, windproof, UV-protective, golf, and children's designs. Every frame is engineered in-house by mechanical engineers, wind-tunnel tested, and protected by registered patents and trademarks. The lineup also includes licensed designer collections featuring William Morris patterns and artworks from The National Gallery, plus a luxury Diamond Collection tier.
Is Fulton a public or private company?
Fulton is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Fulton founded?
Fulton was founded in 1956. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Fulton based?
Fulton is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Fulton make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Umbrella Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are designer Collaborations.
Who are Fulton's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Totes, Blunt Umbrellas, Senz, Knirps, London Undercover and Davek. Broad incumbents are Hunter, Barbour and Burberry. Ted Baker is listed as an others.
Does Fulton have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fulton.
What industry is Fulton in?
Fulton's product category is Premium Umbrellas. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOAFAI, Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear), with a secondary code of IMADAIAN, Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings).