Three Generations of Making Helmets for a Safer World.  World famous for raising the bar in safety, Charles Owen is celebrating its 100 year birthday as a leading British manufacturer of riding helmets. When Charles Owen himself founded the company in 1911, his mission was to make products for a safer world. Now under the direction of Charles Owen’s grandson, Roy Burek, the mission has remained the same, but has extended its reach to all parts of the globe.