Bantam is the ancient name of a seaport city in what is now Western Java, Indonesia which for hundreds of years until the late 18th century was an important port where the earliest European merchant houses established outposts for the trade in precious spices. The name Bantam also refers to a breed of chicken originating in Southeast Asia that is naturally small. Seafaring traders seeking to re-stock their ships with live fowl for long journeys home favoured these small native breeds, also noted as proud and tenacious fighters despite their small stature. In that respect, the Bantam embodies our company’s values.