Who makes up HebTroCo and what is your mission as a brand in 2022?
Brant and Ed are the founders and it was just the two of us doing everything for the first few years. HebTroCo sells menswear and other stuff using an online-only direct-to-market model. Everything is UK made exclusively to our design in factories all over the country. Fabrics come from the UK where available and good quality, or the best European alternatives. Localism and an aspiration to sustainability have always been important and stand alongside our taste for quality, durability, understated style and not taking crap off trolls on Facebook. We are now a bigger team of six with Andy (Warehouse Manager), Amelia (Designer/Pattern Cutter), Vic and Matt (IT).
What drew your team to HD® Wool Apparel Insulation product?
We are Yorkshire and we love Yorkshire stuff. We’re also attracted to doing differently to the mainstream. Using UK wool to quilt clothes rather than plastics or more traditional down is right up our snicket* (*alley if you’re not from round here). Also, it’s cold where we work so the more warm clothes we have at work the better.
Can you tell us a bit more about why you think traceability is becoming more important to consumers?
It’s important to us and always has been so that’s the main thing. We’re not perfect but we’re trying. Some consumers are also interested and for them we have a growing range of products. Let’s hope we can pass on the importance of knowing what goes into the clothes we all wear. Then people can make their own minds up.
What excites you the most about the new products you are producing at the moment?
That as a small independent company we can compete on price with some big names whilst making stuff here and making it out of better materials.
If you could describe some of the new products or projects you have in the pipe-line in 3 words, what would they be?
Made. Right. Here.
Why do you think more people should be choosing UK wool for their apparel products?
Social ammunition, so they can beat their mates in pub arguments.
Which other materials do you work with where you are able to trace back to it’s origins?
Cotton in our t-shirts, sweatshirts and jeans.
Do you any have projects, films or events coming up you’d like to share with our community?
Just go on our Facebook page. It’s like the wild west.