main warehouse and showrooms are now based at Syston in Leicester, where the business will be exclusively based from July this year.


S Peter is now working with Justin Morgan (the company’s two directors)


from their Fulham and Syston facilities, along with Gerry Mullins (Warehouse Manager since 1978) and Rob Ferguson (Syston based) the newest member of the team.


HB has dedicated designers in both Italy and Spain who work on the HB


Italia and HB España ranges. These collections allow for individual retailer range building input to create exclusive combinations on known winning HB designs. HB Mocs are always a talking point with their combinations of materials and colours – created by the retailer!


HB is synonymous with Hand Made Italian artisan moccasins and pumps.


All created exclusively for HB with pride and craftsmanship in the Tuscan hills around Florence.


HB España offers that opportunity to have truly unique occasion


ware – Races, Weddings, Christenings, Special days – with premium matching handbags – all exclusive to HB España.


Ara and its brand Jenny have worked with Ashton Associates in the UK


for many years, and Peter Ashton has now joined the HB team to continue to promote the Ara brands in the UK


“The Ara Group is a very exciting addition to HB’s stable of brands; it is


one of Europe’s brand leaders and we hope to expand its distribution across GB,” said Morgan


HB has gone through significant changes in the last 4 years since Peter


and Justin began working together. Peter is still very active in all aspects of the business but the plan is for Justin to acquire full control of the company over the next couple of years, when Peter will enjoy his retirement; while we go to press he is enjoying a well-earned break in his favourite haunt of Florida.


HB has continued to grow throughout the recent challenging times,


because HB brings something different to the shoe retailing table – unique, quality, branded product.


Compromise is not part of their philosophy. “We genuinely want to thank all HB’s customers who have supported and


Zodiaco – one of Italy’s foremost manufacturers – have worked for many


years with HB on distributing their brand. Zodiaco is still proudly 100% Italian and offers the design flair and quality of Italy at affordable prices; while HB adds the benefits of matching handbags for many parts of the Zodiaco collection. Zodiaco boasts the much sought after “I Love Italian Shoes” endorsement of genuine Italian craftsmanship.


In 2010 HB was offered the opportunity to work with David Corben, one of the UK’s leading men’s shoe aficionados, on the Steptronic brand. Steptronic has been truly a phenomenon in the men’s shoe market. British designed comfortable shoes that work as well in the boardroom as the pub.


“I am delighted to have created the perfect look for the British consumer


who wants all the comfort of the European brands, but the quintessential look we are known for in the UK. With more than 2000 doors worldwide in 20 countries in less than 5 years, Steptronic has gone beyond our wildest expectations. Our working with HB is a vitally important and intrinsic part of our brand development”, says Corben


The most recent addition to the HB stable is the German giant ARA with


both its Jenny Ara and Salamander brands. Ara Group is one of Germany’s largest shoe companies making fantastically designed well-fitting shoes for men, women and children.


Salamander is best known for its children’s LURCHI collections which


offer beautiful European design with perfect fitting; in addition Salamander offers a range of men’s and women’s contemporary footwear.


Contact:


Tel: 0116 260 5043 Fax: 0116 269 3627


Email: info@hbshoes.co.uk www.hbshoes.co.uk


grown their business with us for the last 48 years – we look forward to the next 48 being even better! During the transition from Fulham to Syston there have been frustrations for our customers, staff, suppliers and sales people, however these have been acknowledged and we again thank all of them for the contribution they have made to our success”


Peter Ashton


HB’s sales team in the UK and Ireland are: Robert Cambridge


Jeff Clark John Hinman Alan Napier They can all be contacted through: info@hbshoes.co.uk


HB has a world of unique and beautiful shoes sold through a sales network of professionals travelling throughout the UK. They genuinely offer a unique selling proposition in terms of retailer support and are proud to support the independent ethos of footwear retailing in the UK.


tarted in 1964, Peter Hogan Hern’s family have distributed the HB and other brands from their London warehouse and showrooms to shoe retailers throughout the UK and Ireland for almost 50 years. Originally in Bond Street, HB still has facilities in Fulham; however the


Hellen Cooper Colin Plowman


MAY 2012 • FOOTWEAR TODAY


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