It is hard to believe that an American wader and clothing manufacturer that’s been around since 1838 is only just making its European debut. That’s the case for Pure Fishing-owned Hodgman, but it has been well worth the wait.
It’s always exciting when a company makes its debut in the market of another region. Translating its domestic success into international success is an exciting challenge for any brand but when that debut has been over 170 years in the making, it has a little extra edge.
The original company started in 1838 as a rubber manufacturer in Massachusetts and at that time manufactured what many consider to be the first-ever pair of waders. In 2011 it became part of the Jarden Corporation and subsequently fell under the jurisdiction of Pure Fishing, which invested heavily in its product development. This combination of immense history and the latest product development thinking and technology has given birth to a Hodgman that is ready for a full-on international assault.
Even with that much history and heritage behind it, Hodgman is not a brand to rest on its laurels. In 2016 it delivered the use of double sonic welding technology to waders to the fishing industry, with the Aesis Sonic. Chris explains: “The Sonic 2.0 weld utilises a front and back weld to fuse the fabric together without the use of thousands of stitch holes.
“Additionally, at EFFTEX 2016, Hodgman will introduce the H-Lock interchangeable-sole wade boot system. The dual-locking sole provides enhancements over other removable-sole systems because the sole cannot be removed without disengaging both the front and rear locks simultaneously. Anglers can select the ideal sole for any wading environment with the reliability of traditional-attached soles. “It is our overall aim for the Hodgman brand to elevate the apparel line within Pure Fishing.”
Hodgman’s absence from the European market is not something that was ever planned, but now with the global vision of a parent company like Pure Fishing, the full international potential of the brand looks set to be tapped into. “Hodgman has a long history in the United States but has never been distributed in Europe or Nordic countries,” says Chris. “However, by early 2017 anglers across this region will be able to wear this brand, which has been creating waders since the 1850s. Every year our design team continues to look for ways to elevate the product line and anglers’ experiences on the water.”
The family of jackets includes what the company claims is the first down jacket designed specifically for fishing with the Aesis HyperDry Down jacket. The complete line includes waterproof breathable shell jackets, lightweight shells, soft shells and three-in-one-systems-based jackets.
A history of Hodgman
Hodgman is recognised throughout the world as one of the oldest and most respected names in the wading segment of the sporting goods industry. The original company started in 1838 as a rubber manufacturer and was located in Framingham, Massachusetts. Hodgman manufactured what is known as the very first pair of waders ever made.
In 1956, Converse Rubber Company purchased the original Hodgman Company and sold products under the Converse/Hodgman label until 1979, when R W Foster, president of Hodgman, purchased the Hodgman division.
In 2006, Hodgman was purchased by Stearns Inc, and later transferred within the Jarden family of companies in 2011 to Pure Fishing, Inc. Pure Fishing has invested in new product development initiatives for Hodgman focusing on the development of tough, durable fishing apparel.
Source: www.tackletradeworld.com.