Softline Acquires the J.W. Hulme St. Paul Manufacturing Operations
St. PAUL (October 10, 2018) — J.W. Hulme Company announced today that Softline Brand Partners will acquire its St. Paul manufacturing operations. Softline will consolidate the 113-year-old leather goods company’s manufacturing operations with Softline’s operations in Minneapolis.
As a result of the transaction, J.W. Hulme will transition from in-house manufacturing to sourcing from a variety of high-quality manufacturers, including Softline. Softline plans to acquire equipment and interview all manufacturing operations employees from J.W. Hulme.
History of J.W. Hulme
Founded in St. Paul in 1905, J.W. Hulme has a rich design, craftsmanship, and customer service history. “This move will ensure that we will be able to continue to deliver on our brand promise of making heirloom-quality leather and canvas goods going forward,” said J.W. Hulme CEO Claire Powell.
Softline’s customers include some of the country’s most recognizable brands: Room & Board, Love Your Melon, Allen Edmonds, and Red Wing Shoes. The company, headquartered in Minneapolis, has plants in the USA and overseas.
“All of us at Softline Brand Partners have been fans of J.W. Hulme’s products, commitment to quality, and long-standing reputation for decades,” said Kellen Groves, COO of Softline Brand Partners. “We are excited to expand our business and team with the talented artisans from J.W. Hulme.”
“We are thrilled to have a partner in Softline that continues to grow its manufacturing operations in the Twin Cities,” said Powell. “J.W. Hulme will maintain the consistency and high quality of its products, ensuring that we continue to meet the standards that our discerning customers have come to expect.”
About J.W. Hulme Company
J.W. Hulme Co., with its rich history, has been known for its distinctive design, classic styles, and superior craftsmanship of top-quality leather goods and other men’s and women’s accessories since 1905. For more information, visit www.jwhulme.com.
About Softline Brand Partners
Softline Brand Partners is a manufacturing and supply chain company offering full-service manufacturing solutions. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Softline’s team is comprised of designers, sourcing specialists, project managers, and production team members. Softline works with the most recognizable brands, from startups to Fortune 500s, and has American and overseas manufacturers. Learn more about Softline here.
