The Crates name in the saddlery industry dates back to the mid-1930's when Robert H. Crates, a farmer's son from North-Central Ohio moved South during the Great Depression, eventually buying a smallish harness, horse collar, and saddle shop In Chattanooga, Tennessee, operating the business with T. Fletcher Sims, son of the original founder of Sims Collar and Leather, established in 1932. In the early 1950's. Robert assumed full ownership of the company. Also, in the 1950's, after military service, sons Daniel and Robert C. joined the business, building at one time what was considered the largest company in the industry, producing in excess of one thousand saddles per week.

After the company was sold to others in 1980, Robert H, Daniel, and key employees of the former company established Crates Leather Company in 1981, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, its mission to produce a limited number of high quality up-scale western saddles to be marketed through leading saddle retailers initially in the West, and in key overseas markets. Many original Crates employees were former saddlemakers in the previous family business.

Currently, Crates saddles are still hand-made, one at a time, In a forty thousand square foot plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and sold throughout the US and abroad, with concentration on Arena Products; team roping, steer wrestling, team penning, reining, working cowhorse, calf roping, and barrel racing. Crates also offers many models in endurance, trail and pleasure riding. Ownership and management remains with the Crates family; Son-in-law Charles Matthews as Vice-President and General Manager, Elise Crates and Cameron Crates Matthews Secretary and Vice-President, Daniel Crates as president.

And a forth generation in the wings.

The company mission remains the same: to produce high quality saddlery, competitively priced, marketed through top level retail saddle shops the US and select overseas markets.