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About us
GPS Agencies Ltd was founded over 40 years ago, and were originally involved in the fashion industry, acting as button brokers for some of the UK’s major high street fashion houses. In the early years this proved to be lucrative market as GPS Agencies Ltd supplied the majority of the UK’s button makers and wholesalers.
In the early 80s GPS Agencies Ltd were approached by a bagpipe maker, called William Sinclair & Sons, and were asked to try and develop an Alternative to Ivory. Also at this time the Ivory Revolution had really started moving forward, and this was something GPS Agencies Ltd became heavily involved in. After several years of working with our factory (who we still work with today), Ivory Alternative Col.849/TM was born. This possessed many of the qualities of real ivory, from both the appearance and the working properties. During this period GPS Agencies Ltd were involved with conservation groups such as, Elefriends, the WWF, and the African Wildlife Foundation, and soon became known worldwide for our Ivory Alternative.
The Victoria & Albert Museum, The National Trust, and English Heritage have approved ivory Alternative Col.849/TM. It is also recommended by Garrards the Crown Jewelers to be used for repairs and restoration of real ivory articles.
Ivory Col.849 has also been used to replace real ivory plaques in Windsor Castle.
In 2003 the range was expanded, still promoting conservation, with larger stock of Horn, Tortoiseshell and Bone Alternatives, along with a Semi-Precious Stone Collection.
The GPS Agencies Ltd of today has evolved a great deal since its birth, with a range of materials and colour collections, bespoke colour development and product engineering abilities. However we have still kept our traditional ecological values and still look to promote the use of our Alternatives over the real thing.