Hi-Tec
Hi-Tec Sports, trading as Hi-Tec,[2] is a privately held[3] producer and distributor of sportswear and accessories, headquartered in the Netherlands.[1]
Subsidiary | |
Industry | Sportswear and accessories |
Founded | 1974 |
Founder | Frank van Wezel |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Frank van Wezel (Chairman) Ed van Wezel(CEO) |
Products | Sportswear, sports equipment |
Revenue | $250USD million |
Number of employees | 500 |
Parent | Cherokee Inc. |
Website | www |
History
Hi-Tec Sports was founded in 1974,[4] in Shoeburyness, Essex, England,[5] by Frank Van Wezel. The company moved its headquarters to Southend-on-Sea,[6] before relocating its head office to Amsterdam.
Hi-Tec Sports USA was started in Modesto, CA in 1978 by Duke and Kathy Jones. They developed the first lightweight hiking boot. This became the main success of Hi-Tec Sports USA. They also developed and named the "Magnum" boot. Duke and Kathy Jones sold Hi-Tec Sports USA to Frank Van Wezel in 1990.
In 1988, the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange.[3] Frank van Wezel bought the company back in 2000. It remains privately held.[3]
In 2013, Hi-Tec founder and chairman Frank van Wezel, was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration by Anglia Ruskin University.[7]
Awards
In 2012, Hi-Tec's V-Lite Altitude Ultra Luxe boot received a Which? Best Buy Walking Boot award.[8]
Hi-Tec's ZUUK trainer shoe was awarded Footwear Product of the Year 2013 at The Great Outdoors Awards.[9]
The UK based Hi-Tec office was announced Sports Footwear Brand of the Year 2014[10] and Outdoor Footwear Company of the Year 2013 at the Footwear Industry Awards.[11]
References
- Cyr, Brian (November 19, 2013). "Hi-Tec Sports, the footwear and apparel brand, hires U.S.-based design director". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- "HI-TEC". Hi-Tec. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- Brettman, Allan (May 14, 2013). "Hi-Tec Sports banks on Zuuk shoe for market distinction". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- "Our History". HI-TEC UK. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- Brettman, Allan (June 17, 2011). "Hi-Tec Sports footwear CEO had to prove mettle to founder". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- "Hi-Tec vows to stay in Southend". Southend Standard. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/microsites/honorary/frank_van_wezel.html
- http://www.hi-tec.com/uk/why-us.html
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)