Howies
{{Short description|Clothing company based in west Wales}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Howies
| logo = howies logo 1.jpg
| logo_size = 200px
| caption =
| type =
| traded_as = howies
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = 1995
| founder = David and Clare Hieatt
| location_city = Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire{{Cite web |url=http://www.howies.co.uk/info#contact |title=Howies - Info |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2016-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024223810/http://www.howies.co.uk/info#contact |url-status=live }}
| location_country = Wales
| location =
| locations =
| key_people =
| industry = Outdoor apparel, Sporting goods
| products = Clothing
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = [http://www.howies.co.uk/ howies.co.uk]
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
Howies is a clothing company based in west Wales.
The company was founded in 1995 and produces eco-friendly T-shirts, jeans and sportswear, with the aim of having ethically correct practices.[https://www.theguardian.com/guardian_jobs_and_money/story/0,,1226801,00.html Daring to be different in a brand new way], The Guardian, 2004-05-29 Accessed on August 24, 2007.[http://search.ft.com/ftArticle?page=11&queryText=%22Levi+Strauss%22&id=060310007485 howies mixes fun with ecology]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Financial Times, 2006-03-10 Accessed on August 29, 2007. Howies use natural fabrics as alternatives to petrochemical-derived modern fabrics, including organic cotton, Merino wool and recycled cotton.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070824221758/http://www.steal-life.com/features/04howies.html "Feature.003 HOWIES"]}}, "STEAL-LIFE", January 2005. Accessed on August 23, 2007.[http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=1529 howies Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015422/http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=1529 |date=2007-09-30 }}, Issue 18, Singletrack Magazine, 2004-12-15. Accessed on August 23, 2007. Howies T-shirts often have images or slogans with political or environmental themes and are screen printed by hand in a workshop located at the brand headquarters.
Brand
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2021}}
The Howies brand has a strong identity within many UK active sports, notably mountain biking,{{cite news |last1=Bicycling Staff |title=Below the Belt |agency=Bicycling |issue=3, vol. 53 |publisher=Hearst Publishing |date=April 2012 |pages=102–103}} surfing and skateboarding, and has sponsored a number of athletes in these disciplines.{{cite web |last1=Parrish |first1=Nick |title=Howies |url=https://adage.com/article/special-report/howies/121190 |website=AdAge |publisher=Crain Communications |access-date=13 June 2022 |date=October 18, 2007 |quote=Howies ... got even more play on the backs of sponsored skateboarding, mountain bike and BMX teams.}}
It has made a number of special edition products associated with the Howies brand, notably with Curtis Bikes who continue to offer Howies blue as a standard colour option on many of their bikes. The company is particularly well known for its T-shirt designs, notably the classic logo design as well as 9 bikes, CCTV, Life*, Blood Donor and Home Work. The Howies name is often written in lowercase - the company's preferred style.
History
Howies was founded by Clare and David Hieatt in 1995. The name "Howies" is derived from Clare's maiden name of "Howells".{{Cite web |url=http://www.wda.co.uk/index.cfm/opportunities_for_people/llwybro_routes/casestudies/mid_wales/howies/en11755 |title=howies - now more than just an escape route, Llwybro-Routes, Welsh Assembly Government's Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks |access-date=2007-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200226/http://www.wda.co.uk/index.cfm/opportunities_for_people/llwybro_routes/casestudies/mid_wales/howies/en11755 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }} Howies first marketing and team manager was Jeff Boardman 1996 - 2001.
Branding expert Mark Simmons was managing director from 1999 to 2001.
The company relocated from London to Wales in 2001[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/6357445.stm Timberland buys 'green' company] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008120135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/6357445.stm |date=2019-10-08 }}, BBC News Online, 2007-02-13 Accessed on August 24, 2007.[http://www.howies.co.uk/content.php?xSecId=5 howies, Our History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828152149/http://www.howies.co.uk/content.php?xSecId=5 |date=2007-08-28 }}, Accessed on August 23, 2007. and the company's first proper mail order catalogue is produced.
In 2003, Levi Strauss & Co. threatened to sue Howies over the placement of a logo bearing tab on the rear right buttock pocket of their jeans. The Howies Tab is grey, the Levis Tab is Red.[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/may/02/wales David v Goliath battle as Welsh jeans company tells Levi's to butt out] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307165220/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/may/02/wales |date=2016-03-07 }}, 2003-05-03
In 2011, the Hieatts sold the company to The Timberland Company, for £3.2m.[http://www.inteletex.com/NewsDetail.asp?PubId=&NewsId=5058 Timberland buys howies, Inteletex] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928171232/http://www.inteletex.com/NewsDetail.asp?PubId=&NewsId=5058 |date=2007-09-28 }}, 2006-12-05 Accessed on August 24, 2007.{{Cite web |title=How a Welsh jeans firm became a cult global brand |url=https://hiutdenim.co.uk/pages/how-a-welsh-jeans-firm-became-a-cult-global-brand |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Hiut Denim Co.}}{{Disputed inline|Conflicting dates for Timberland sale|date=September 2023}}
In November 2008, Howies was cited as the 6th most 'recession-proof' company in the UK.[http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5068028.ece Stores must up their game to beat recession] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612081520/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5068028.ece |date=2011-06-12 }}, 2008-11-03.
In September 2009, David Hieatt, one of Howies' founders, mentioned on Twitter that he was due to leave the company at the end of October 2009.{{cite tweet|number=4056845617|user=davidhieatt|title=Glad do lectures is done now. Gives me time to have a think about what I will do after I leave howies at end of Oct.|date=17 September 2009}}
In December 2011, Howies closed its London shop, which was situated on Carnaby Street.[http://geographyblog.eu/wp/howies-a-small-independantethically-minded-store-forced-to-close-london-store howies – a small independent, ethically minded store forced to close London Store] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027013146/http://geographyblog.eu/wp/howies-a-small-independantethically-minded-store-forced-to-close-london-store/ |date=2012-10-27 }}, 2011-12-17.
In January 2012, Howies' management team announced that they had purchased the company back and that Howies would continue to operate from Cardigan as an independent company.[http://www.howies.co.uk/brainfood/?p=22675 "On Our Own Two Feet" a howies blog post] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108023549/http://www.howies.co.uk/brainfood/?p=22675 |date=2012-01-08 }}, 2012-01-06.
References
{{reflist|1}}