our corporate profile
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Our Corporate Profile
www.huggergear.co.uk
Our Founder, HOJO originates from Liverpool, England and started his bag design career
when he was a little boy. His first prototype bag was drawn on the wall of his father's garden
shed. He used to do all different paintings of the flowers growing in and around the shed
while his mother was working at home as a seamstress. The first bag made by HOJO was his
school bag when he was only 13yrs old. Beginning as a drawing on the back of his school
textbook, he sewed up the bag in the middle of the night while his mom was sleeping. He
used the leftover materials from his mom's inventory and his first bag was born.
At school, his multi-coloured bag became famous and soon his friends wanted one, too. He
gave the first bags away for free. His friends were so happy that they kept hugging him.
HOJO liked the hugs so much that he called his bags HUGGER bags. Later at school, he got a
new nickname Hugger.
HOJO decided to start his own business making bags and partnered up with his designer
friend in England making Hugger Bags, and selling to retail stores. After generating enough
cash flow, he moved to Hong Kong to setup an office where he knew it was the ideal location
to enter the world of manufacturing. His partner, TJ, remains in England to take care of the
design team while HOJO is staying in Hong Kong to take care of the production side.
Arriving in Hong Kong, HOJO did not know anyone, so he visited different bag factories to
find a reliable supplier. During his factory visits, he met his future business partner, TY, who
was helping his uncle run his bag factory. They shared the same vision and philosophy, and
later TY became one of the business partners of Hugger.
Hugger story
The original garden shed where the first bag was sewn up
An early photo of HOJO working on a new bag design in the garden
HOJO stands in his garden
Everybody needs a hug, and Hugger bags feel like a hug!
Our bags hug what is inside (laptop) and the outside (environment)
Our philosophy
Why Hugger?
Design and Manufacturing Experience
Compared with many companies that only design and distribute their products. HUGGER is backed up by its
own production facility with over 300 workers and many years of manufacturing experience in bag production.
European Design
Our European designers are based in Liverpool, England. They don’t just design bags, they look at what is
needed, try it out, and develop it to the full. Our designers develop new concepts each month based on these
principles, allowing us to bring fresh and useful designs to feed an ever-changing market place.
Warranty Programme
Our products are backed by a 10 year limited warranty for any defects in workmanship and materials.
Why Hugger?
Social & Environmental Responsibility
Social responsibility
Our company has implemented an internal system which ensures our workers are protected and
can enjoy a comfortable and safe working environment.
We do not hire child labor, young or forced labor. We provided a non discriminatory environment
based neither on race, religion, disability, gender or age
We take adequate and precautious plans to prevent accidents and injury to health of our workers
and compensate employees with higher salary than the standard industry norm
Environmentally friendly
As part of manufacturing community, we believe the growth of the business doesn't have to
sacrifice our environment and we have to provide a sustainable environment for our planet.
Innovations have to be in harmony with nature and to ensure the survival of mankind.
PVC is the most environmentally damaging of all plastics. All stages of the PVC lifecycle, its
production, use, and disposal, result in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals that build
up in the water we drink, the air we breathe, as well as contaminating the human food chain.
Thousands of tons of PVC has been used for decades in the past as the common backing material
for fabrics used in bags and luggage.
Our materials are:
PVC free, Chloro free, AZO free, No dioxin, heavy metals or phthalate pollution. No Ozone
depleting substances. No dye dispersal and compliance with the latest European regulations
What we’re made of
SGS Eco Test Certification – all categories passed
What we’re made of
1) Non-toxic Material (Chloro Free, AZO Free, No dioxin, Heavy Metals
or Phthalate Pollution, No Ozone Depleting Substances, and No Dye
Dispersal)
2) PVC Free PVC is now recognized as the most environmentally
damaging of all plastics. All stages of the PVC lifecycle, its production,
use, and disposal, result in the release of toxic, chlorine-based
chemicals that build up in the water we drink, the air we breathe, as
well as contaminating the human food chain. Millions of tons of PVC
have been used for decades as the common backing material for
fabrics used in bags and luggage.
3) Highly Water Resistance (up to 1,000 PSI)
4) Compliance with the latest European regulations
5) Light Weight (40% lighter than regular Polyester and Nylon)
6) Durable (High durability and High tensile strength)
7) Withstand Extreme Temperature (-40 C)
Environmentally Friendly Materials
We believe we can do more to protect our planet while providing good quality products; Hugger believes substantiality for the environment should start from the origin of a product.
Product development
Product development begins in Liverpool with an artist’s sketch.
After sample is perfected, coloursmaterial and production details
are finalized.
An artist’s impression An embroidery file Pre-production model
Product is sent back to our UK studio for pre-production approval.
Laptop bags
Ladies laptop bags • Messenger laptop • Sleeves
Laptop backpacks • Male & Female Executive bags
• Mini-laptop bags for Netbooks
Camera bags
Ladies camera bags • Messenger camera bags • Pro Camera Backpacks
Gadget cases
iPad cases • iPhone cases • iPad sling bags • Smartphone cases
Compact camera cases
Products on tree display
Concept shelving & store
Concept Store Design
Concept shelving & store
Our trusted partnersThe following brands names are trusted partners of Hugger
Hugger / Sony Co-Branding
Hugger / Canon Co-Branding
Design Company for Carrefour in Europe
Hugger / iSUCCo-Branding
Thousands of participants of
the iSUC conference receive a
Hugger Bag!
Who needs a Hug?
Interviews by Trade Media
Trade fashion magazine –product reviews
Fashion bag magazine – product reviews
