1946

The company, Glass Craft, was first registered with a business plan to provide silk screen printing and pennants as souvenirs to visiting US Navy and other post war tourists.

The business operated from small premises above the Esquire Theater in Pitt Street Sydney.

1948

Glass Craft expanded and supplied schools with House Ribbons and Sashes.

1954

After finishing her course as a designer at East Sydney Art College, Margaret Knightley at age 18 joined the family business as the artist. In later years this course she completed evolved to become a Graphics Arts Degree.

1961

Margaret & Rob Simpson announce the birth of Stratton Simpson, 30th September 1961.

1963

Rob Simpson made an offer to Phillip Knightley to become involved in the business and after a few short years Margaret and Rob Simpson assumed joint ownership of the company.

Phillip Knightley remained as a signwriter and consultant for the next 30 years.

The business was relocated to 104 Percival Street Stanmore NSW.

1964

The Simpsons take a business trip to America, returning with new products, amongst these flags, handwavers, ribbons and Bunting (streamers).

1965

Rob Simpson started another company, AB Colour Pennant & Displays. This company became the first in Australia to produce Bunting, using PVC and plastic material in a rainbow of colours, cut into shapes and sewn into plastic coated string to decorate Car Yards, Service Stations, Pubs and Clubs.

1969

Glass Craft commenced supplying Lions Club banners and Rotary banners and pennants. These were printed onto satin and felt. AB Colour still supplies Bunting, and grows.

1973

The two companies are relocated to Farr Street Marrickville NSW. There are four trucks and eight contractors installing the Bunting. Many contracts, both Corporate, and Government are being serviced by the businesses.

1979

The company AB Colour was sold as Councils were now leaning towards visual pollution laws, and Bunting was listed as a possible offender. In addition, everyone was thinking "green" and plastics were not favored items anywhere.

1980

Stratton Knightley Simpson joins the family business, after working two years in the Entertainment industry. Stratton worked as a booking agent for bands, a D.J by night and with P & O's Oriana as an entertainment member of staff.

1981

The company relocates to 4 Hoyle Avenue Castle Hill NSW.

1985

Southern Cross Flags grows and needs funds to continue growing.

Glass Craft was sold and the new owners moved the business three doors up the road to continue working in close association with Southern Cross Flags.

1986

Stratton Simpson introduces flagpoles and banner poles to the product line. Stratton also introduces a new concept of managing data by way of computers. He sets up the DOS software and commences the transition from paperwork to computerised. The PC by the way was an Olivetti, with 0.6 meg of ram and a 20 meg hard drive.... powerful huh?

1987

Many contracts were won in relation to the Bicentenary and Southern Cross Flags become an Official Licensee. Production commenced for the big event late September 1987, and the company supplied the Australian flag for the opening of New Parliament House in Canberra.

1988

The company relocated to Windsor NSW where it purchased a large factory on one acre where it began a specialised form of printing onto material:Dye Dispersal, which is water based. This form of printing is the first of its kind in our industry and the company soon doubled its turnover, making itone of the largest in the country.

1989

With the Bicentenary over and flag sales slowing down, Stratton flew to France to negotiate a joint venture with a world leader in flag and banner sales - Doublet Pty Ltd of France.

1990

In November 1990 Southern Cross Flags enters into a joint venture with Doublet. Rob Simpson and Margaret Simpson were retained as consultants while Stratton became Managing Director and a third shareholder of Doublet Australia.

1991

Doublet trades in the Australian market place and finds the recession and many other factors are not in their favor.

1993

Rob and Margaret Simpson remained with Doublet, working as consultants.

1994

Doublet, accepting it's not the right time for them, negotiate with the Simpson family who buy back the entire company, commencing trading as Southern Cross Flags in August 1994.

1995

Agency Downunder - A promotional company started by the Simpson's during the recession of the early 90's, merged with Southern Cross Flags on February 1st 1995.

Southern Cross Flags immediately commenced re-signing many top organisations including GMH, The Darling Harbour Authority, State Rail, Landcom, The AAP Group, Darling Park, Australia Post, and many many more.

November 1995 - The oldest flag business in Australia, E.H.Brett & Sons was contacted by Stratton, who negotiated the purchase of their flag business, some stock and all their existing artworks. As a young boy, Stratton would often accompany Rob Simpson to the E.H.Brett factory and play amongst the fabrics while his father conducted business.

Southern