Fortis. Strong by name. Strong by purpose. Strong by design.
Fortis began with a simple belief: great kit should never let you down. What started as a small workshop in Devon has grown into a British performance brand trusted by outdoor enthusiasts across the world. Yet our mission remains unchanged: to create clothing that works as hard as the people who wear it.
Fortis began in 1997 on a family farm in Axminster, Devon. What started with personalised tyre covers and car seat covers, made by founder Hugh Massy-Birch, soon grew into a deeper passion for durable textiles and honest British craftsmanship.
After gaining experience in military-grade clothing through Arktis, Hugh returned to the farm and converted an old lamb barn into a workshop, the same site where Fortis HQ still stands today. From here, he began producing tough, weatherproof jackets, smocks and trousers using our renowned Risptop and waterproofing, earning a reputation for reliability among outdoor professionals across the UK.
In 2016, Hugh’s son Oliver Massy-Birch became Director and rebranded the business from Country Covers to Fortis (latin for strong). The new name reflected both the performance of the products and the values behind them.
Today, all our outdoor clothing is designed and made in Britain, guided by our core values.
Fortis now supplies customers globally and showcases collections at shows across the UK, yet we remain true to our roots: a family-led brand committed to endurance, sustainability and exceptional service.
OUR VALUES
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
Whether it’s enhancing the durability of our products or expanding our knowledge of sustainable practices, we are committed to better quality, better solutions, and constant innovation.
BUILT FOR EXTREMES
Our unique combination of military-grade materials and British craftsmanship allows us to create clothing that enables our customers to conquer the toughest environments with ease.
HONEST CRAFTSMANSHIP
From how we manufacture our clothing to how we support our customers, we operate with transparency, responsibility, and a respect for the environment.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to craft British-made outdoor clothing that performs in the harshest conditions, lasts for years, and is built with integrity. We exist to equip those who live and work outdoors with gear they can trust, made responsibly, innovated relentlessly, and created to stand the test of time.
made in devon
A mark of credibility and assurance that Fortis is local, legal and trustworthy.
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