Reddit - Ask me Anything (AMA)

[irishexpat]

real good stuff.

[beautiful_FrEaK]

That was a good read. Thanks

[Giles]

Thanks guys….

[Snowy]

That was a great read. Some good questions and good answers. Thanks for doing it.

[jdl1279]

This was really informative, the turnover on the 25oz How the hell do you find profits in that? Makes me appreciate the cranky bastards that much more. The variables I was unaware of and details G covered (thread detail and count, man knows his stuff) were impressive both because he just fired it off, and because the audience seemed to care about it as it was laid out. Thanks for taking the time Giles, I learned something from it all, and that will bring me back every time.

[Giles]

Yep, last but one time we ran a weave of the 25oz, we bought back USD12,000 of 2nd and 3rd rate fabric from the mill…....

[jdl1279]

Wow, that's gotta make folks buying from Japan sting all the more (sorry knowing as I do now I would have dug deeper, promise you'll get the balance in the long run). Do you know with all of that where you end up per pair? Sorry I can be off, profit margins and debt footprints interest me.

[Seul]

Your praise and kind words for Haraki-san (and vice versa) is touching  Made for a great read, G!..

[davito]

Well done G great insights like always. Thanks

[Giles]

@jdl1279:

Wow, that's gotta make folks buying from Japan sting all the more (sorry knowing as I do now I would have dug deeper, promise you'll get the balance in the long run). Do you know with all of that where you end up per pair? Sorry I can be off, profit margins and debt footprints interest me.

We work on the basis that we do not need to make the same margin off everything we sell.  Margins on silver, leather and the 25oz are awful.  If that was all we sold, we'd go bust.  But we strive for an average margin that is acceptable, so yes, we make more on some items (the IH-634S being a prime example - we make so many of them our costs are reasonably low)…...

[jdl1279]

I am glad there is some room for you after the trials of production. I understand no two things in any business carry the same margins, I have also been in the position where trouble jobs make your end barely worth the effort. The determination to get through the issues, even with a smaller margin, and then continue to expand the offerings in the difficult area is what impresses me. You have to bust your ass to make that work, tons of respect for it.

[sabergirl]

This was so fascinating to read!  Thanks for taking the time, Giles.  I'm interested to know what happens to the scrap denim that can't be salvaged for pockets or other products.

[Giles]

We find projects eventually for them….

[sabergirl]

Lovely!  It would seem a shame to waste such top quality materials.  I'd love to see what little things y'all have come up with.

[mclaincausey]

Coasters!

[sabergirl]

Have there been 25oz. coasters, though?!

[mclaincausey]

Paraffin something would be great

[seanocono]

Just finished reading through the AMA.  Congratulations, Giles.  You knocked that out of the park.  If I weren't a huge fan of IH already, I would be after reading your thoughtful, direct, and informed responses.

[Giles]

Where is the blushing emoticon when you need one?

[veloaudio]

Well put Sean.  I was trying to think of a good way to sum up my reaction after reading the AMA but you captured my thoughts perfectly. Congrats G and IH on the great exposure.