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| Dr Martens owner bought by Permira | Dr Martens owner bought by Permira |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The owner of shoe maker Dr Martens has been bought by the investment firm Permira Funds for £300m. | The owner of shoe maker Dr Martens has been bought by the investment firm Permira Funds for £300m. |
| R Griggs Group, based in Wollaston, near Northampton, has been making boots since 1901, but became famous with its Dr Martens boot in the 1960s. | R Griggs Group, based in Wollaston, near Northampton, has been making boots since 1901, but became famous with its Dr Martens boot in the 1960s. |
| It will add to Permira's portfolio of fashion businesses which includes Hugo Boss, New Look and Spain's Cortefiel. | It will add to Permira's portfolio of fashion businesses which includes Hugo Boss, New Look and Spain's Cortefiel. |
| Griggs was the first firm to use an air-cushioned sole, developed by Munich based Dr Maertens and Dr Funck. | Griggs was the first firm to use an air-cushioned sole, developed by Munich based Dr Maertens and Dr Funck. |
| The boot that emerged from their collaboration was initially sold as a work boot, but was taken up by the early skinhead youth movement of the 1960s. | The boot that emerged from their collaboration was initially sold as a work boot, but was taken up by the early skinhead youth movement of the 1960s. |
| Dr Martens also credit Peter Townshend, guitarist and songwriter for the Who, as another early adopter. | Dr Martens also credit Peter Townshend, guitarist and songwriter for the Who, as another early adopter. |
| According to the company, Mr Townshend says that, while on tour, he would go to bed with two things: a cognac bottle and a Dr Martens boot. | According to the company, Mr Townshend says that, while on tour, he would go to bed with two things: a cognac bottle and a Dr Martens boot. |
| David Suddens, chief executive of Dr Martens said: "The brand's authenticity and the millions of customers who have used Docs as a symbol of self-expression for over half a century are what makes Dr Martens unique. | |
| "The Permira Funds respect that heritage and want to support the management team in nurturing it." |