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]

A Hi-Tec brand shoe

Hi-Tec Sports
TypeSubsidiary
IndustrySportswear and accessories
Founded1974
FounderFrank van Wezel
Headquarters
Amsterdam
,
Netherlands[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Frank van Wezel (Chairman)
Ed van Wezel(CEO)
ProductsSportswear, sports equipment
Revenue$250USD million
Number of employees
500
ParentCherokee Inc.
Websitewww.hi-tec.com

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 was privately held through 2013.[3]

Production was in China until 2005, when Hi-Tec acquired the Falcon shoe factory in Lewiston, Maine, enabling them to offer made-in-usa branded products and compete for US Federal government contracts.[7]

In 2013, Hi-Tec founder and chairman Frank van Wezel, was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration by Anglia Ruskin University.[8]

In 2016, it was acquired by Cherokee Inc., later known as Apex Global Brands.[9]

Awards

In 2012, Hi-Tec's V-Lite Altitude Ultra Luxe boot received a Which? Best Buy Walking Boot award.[10]

Hi-Tec's ZUUK trainer shoe was awarded Footwear Product of the Year 2013 at The Great Outdoors Awards.[11]

The UK based Hi-Tec office was announced Sports Footwear Brand of the Year 2014[12] and Outdoor Footwear Company of the Year 2013 at the Footwear Industry Awards.[13]

References
  1. Cyr, Brian (19 November 2013). "Hi-Tec Sports, the footwear and apparel brand, hires U.S.-based design director". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  2. "HI-TEC". Hi-Tec. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. Brettman, Allan (14 May 2013). "Hi-Tec Sports banks on Zuuk shoe for market distinction". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  4. "Our History". HI-TEC UK. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  5. Brettman, Allan (17 June 2011). "Hi-Tec Sports footwear CEO had to prove mettle to founder". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  6. "Hi-Tec vows to stay in Southend". Southend Standard. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  7. "Hi-Tec Sports Acquires Historic Maine Shoe Factory". 28 March 2005.
  8. "Anglia Ruskin University's Honorary Graduate Site". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  9. "Cherokee Global Brands Announces Intent to Acquire Hi-Tec Sports Intl". 28 November 2016.
  10. "Why Hi-Tec? | Hi-Tec UK - Free Delivery". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  11. "HI-TEC ZUUK WINS FOOTWEAR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD - News". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  12. "Footwear Industry Awards 2014 finalists announced! - the Footwear Industry Awards". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  13. "Hi-Tec voted Outdoor Footwear Brand of the Year - News". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
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