A few weeks ago at Agenda, I caught up with the motocross brand, Hart and Huntington.
Founded in 2005 by motocross star/TV personality Carey Hart (also married to the rock star, Pink), the brand is growing rapidly.
While they first started selling items only online, Hart and Huntington used Fox to license their products until 2008.
At that time, Hart brought everything back in house.
He also hired Guy Trotter, an industry veteran who founded On A Mission Track Pads in 1996, and who also worked at Rip Curl, Oakley and Analog.
Trotter said in the next year Hart and Huntington will double their sales to over $10 million.
I wanted to know what their secret was to such rapid growth.
“Our mantra and mission is ‘ink, rock, moto,’ “ he said, adding that the combo of influences on the brand gives them a unique position in action sports.
“Moto is in right now,” he said. “The brand also has a solid structure, and a dedicated sales force so that’s helped us attack key distribution channels,” he added.
In the last year, Trotter said the company has boosted its internal team, hiring new sales managers Kyle Hollis and Rick Waite from the motocross brand FMF, and a new production and graphics team.
The company also relocated its marketing manager from Las Vegas to the office in Irvine, California.
Trotter said Hart and Huntington also expanded its line.
Known mostly for its printable business, this year Hart and Huntington launched a large selection of cut-and-sew pieces as well as hats and accessories.
For Spring 2011, he said the brand will also re-launch its Junior’s business, which currently accounts for 18% of overall sales. Trotter thinks in the next year the company could significantly increases that number.
Hart and Huntington sells domestically to Tilly’s, Lids, and Glik’s, the brand’s biggest retail partners. Trotter said they will also work more with PacSun, Zumiez and No Fear this year.
Currently, 40% of the company’s overall business comes from international accounts, mostly in Canada and Australia.
Next year, the brand will focus efforts also in Eastern Europe, Japan and Latin America.
