Hele–a “Made in America” sports apparel brand based in Arizona–
is exhibiting its sports apparel for the first time at two of the industry’s
largest trade shows this January. Advanced textiles and fabric printing
technologies are allowing Hele to ship snow sports apparel in as little
as one-tenth the time it takes offshore manufacturers, helping retailers
manage inventory and cash flow.
NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matthew Boyd
matt@livehele.com
Hele Custom Workshop
LiveHele.com
877-955-8889
(Phoenix, AZ) January 15, 2014 – Hele, an apparel brand based in
Phoenix, AZ, is out to prove that U.S. snow sports apparel doesn’t have
to be manufactured offshore to be competitive. The company is
showcasing its innovative new textile printing technology and
“ludicrous” production speeds at two of the industry’s largest trade
shows—The Winter Sports Market and SIA Snow Show—at the Colorado
Convention Center in Denver, CO later this month.
Hele will show its 2015 line of Premium Neckwarmers,
WinterTubes™, Flyweight Masks™ and other snow sports accessories
at The Winter Sports Market from January 26 through 28 (booth # 219) and the
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show from January 29 through
February 1 (booth # 2075). Show attendees are encouraged to stop by and
be part of the daily draw to win either an I-Pad Mini® or $500 of free
merchandise for resale.
Hele’s “Just-In-Time” printing processes and small minimum orders allow
retailers to invest minimal amounts of money in small test batches of
the company’s protective accessories and apparel. These “Mad Minimums”
let the retailer see how well a product or design sells before
committing to a large order, explains Hele co-founder, Matt Boyd. “Our
fully digital fabric printing processes allow us to produce short runs
far faster than our overseas competition,” he explains. “A typical
sports apparel shipment from Asia might arrive as much as a year after
the U.S. retailer has placed the order,” Boyd says.
The Winter Sports Market, organized by the Snowsports Merchandising
Corporation and Sports Specialists, Ltd., represents the kick-off of
the buying/selling season for snow sports apparel retailers.
The Snow Show attracts over 96% of the supplier market share for winter
apparel— including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country and snowshoe
apparel—according to organizers. Retailers attend the events to help
make buying decisions for next season in the apparel niche that
represents nearly $616 million in sales in the U.S. annually, according
to the SIA.
Because the Arizona-based company controls every aspect of the design
and production process in-house, Hele produces stylish protective
accessories and apparel like Premium Neckwarmers, Flyweight Masks™ and
LavaTubes™ in a fraction of the time it may take a Chinese or
Vietnamese manufacturer, according to Boyd. Sometimes the speed takes
retailers off-guard: “Holy cow! You sent samples of the logos that you
worked up already?!!!! What, are you miracle workers? Are you a factory
of magic elves?” asked Wendy P., a buyer from the Chile Pepper Bike
Shop in Moab, UT.
“Our production speed is unheard of in the snow sports apparel
industry,” notes Boyd’s business partner, Cynthia Valenzuela. Debbie,
with The Ski Shop, Inc. in Colorado Springs, CO. shares “I have had to
place many reorders throughout the season because the Hele product
sells almost as fast as it comes in the door.” She adds that with
Hele’s low minimum orders, and quick delivery, “I never have to worry
about missing a sale.”
About Hele Custom Workshop
Hele designs and manufactures stylish protective accessories and
apparel for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Sold at resorts throughout the
U.S., the firm’s Hele brand of Premium Neckwarmers, WinterTubes™, and
Flyweight Masks are also available direct to the public at
LiveHele.com. The company’s innovative digital textile printing
processes allow Hele to offer apparel retailers “Mad Minimums” and
“Ludicrous” production speed.
About the Snowsports
Merchandising Corporation Winter Sports Market
WSM 2015 will be held January 26-28, 2015 at the Colorado Convention
Center, Denver, CO. WSM is SMC’s annual trade show. It’s an opportunity
for a select group of suppliers to present products and buying group
programs for the following season in an efficient, cost-effective
format. It represents the kick-off of the buying/selling season.
About The Snow Show
organized by Snowsports Industries America
The SIA Snow Show, January 29 – February 1, 2015 at the Colorado
Convention Center in Denver, CO, will deliver the “largest, most
concentrated and authentic trade event in the snow sports industry,”
according to organizers.
© 2015, KVZ Sports, Inc. | +1-877-955-8889
2926 W Virginia Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009