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The Crates name in the western saddlery manufacturing industry dates back to the early 1940's when Robert H. Crates acquired a small manufacturer of horse collars, harness, saddles, and general leather products. By the 1960's Simco had grown into one of the world's largest and most diversified saddlery manufacturers which included nylon tack, horse clothing and western leather garments. Sons Daniel and Robert joined the company in the 1950's. Crates management continued through merger with world leading fishing tackle Group Shakespeare Company, as the saddlery division of Shakespeare Company. After the sale of Shakespeare in 1980, the Crates, along with team members of the former Simco Leather Company, established Crates Leather Company to perpetuate the Crates name in western saddlery, manufacturing up-scale western saddlery distributed throughout the world. In June of 2016, still as a third-generation Crates family company, Fabtron. Inc. of Maryville, Tennessee, long time saddlery manufactured arm of the diversified Headrick family  group companies became the exclusive licensee to manufacture and market Crates products world-wide. Fabtron, Inc. and Crates Leather Company, Inc., are family-led on a daily basis to offer to equine enthusiasts modern equipment with an eye to the future.