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Reddit - Ask me Anything (AMA)

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  • G
    Giles
    IHUK Crew
    Joined: 22 Sept 2009

    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…....

    "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

    last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 10:40 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • J
      jdl1279
      Joined: 3 Jan 2014

      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.

      Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

      last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 10:53 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        Seul
        Joined: 24 Nov 2009

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

        last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 10:58 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • D
          davito
          Joined: 27 Oct 2011

          Well done G great insights like always. Thanks

          Cheers,
          David

          last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 11:03 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • G
            Giles
            IHUK Crew
            Joined: 22 Sept 2009

            @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)…...

            "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

            last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 11:20 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • J
              jdl1279
              Joined: 3 Jan 2014

              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.

              Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

              last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 11:50 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • S
                sabergirl
                見習いボス
                Joined: 4 Oct 2013

                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.

                last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 16:15 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • G
                  Giles
                  IHUK Crew
                  Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                  We find projects eventually for them….

                  "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                  last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 16:17 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • S
                    sabergirl
                    見習いボス
                    Joined: 4 Oct 2013

                    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.

                    last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 16:27 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • M
                      mclaincausey
                      見習いボス
                      Joined: 12 Apr 2013

                      Coasters!

                      Think it, be it.

                      last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 18:08 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • S
                        sabergirl
                        見習いボス
                        Joined: 4 Oct 2013

                        Have there been 25oz. coasters, though?!

                        last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 20:08 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • M
                          mclaincausey
                          見習いボス
                          Joined: 12 Apr 2013

                          Paraffin something would be great

                          Think it, be it.

                          last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 21:07 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • S
                            seanocono
                            Joined: 17 Oct 2012

                            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.

                            last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 23:13 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • G
                              Giles
                              IHUK Crew
                              Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                              Where is the blushing emoticon when you need one?

                              "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                              last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 23:19 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • V
                                veloaudio
                                Raw and Unwashed
                                Joined: 9 Dec 2012

                                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.

                                last edited by 14 Jan 2014, 23:30 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • I
                                  irishexpat
                                  Joined: 1 Nov 2013

                                  @mclaincausey:

                                  Coasters!

                                  i want some too now.

                                  Iron Heart, Empty Wallet

                                  last edited by 15 Jan 2014, 00:41 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • J
                                    jdl1279
                                    Joined: 3 Jan 2014

                                    ^third, since I saw Seul's my beers seem lonely.

                                    Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                                    last edited by 15 Jan 2014, 00:46 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • 4
                                      4c
                                      Banned
                                      Joined: 26 Nov 2013

                                      Very cool read…  .
                                      I always assumed IH used Supima for the US long staple cotton in the jeans. But then I read this: “OK I heard from Haraki. Fairly adamant reply:
                                      "We don't use PIMA in our denim and I won't use it."”

                                      I have this burning question about the cotton now. I should start by saying that I’m somewhat obsessed with cotton and am really impressed with the cotton used in my IH jeans and sweatshirt and my cotton obsessions are urging me to find out what variety of cotton IH uses. However, there are a few points about IH cotton that make it wonderfully unique and hard to identify:

                                      • It’s not the GE (BT toxin producing or herbicide tolerant) variety…
                                                      (which rules out about 90%+ of  US cotton…)
                                      • It’s not US Pima AKA Supima (which rules out about 3%)

                                      So that leaves about 6-7% which it could be, but it’s long staple cotton (which is rare outside of Supima cotton in the US and rules out all Upland cotton and most of the other 6-7% left over) so it must be some super rare cotton variety that’s not even on the radar of commercial cotton growers…

                                      Which all leads to the question: What kind is it? Is it a secret? Is it some rare heirloom or breed of cotton that other companies don’t find cost effective, but IH uses for its extreme durability/softness? A US Zimbabwean cotton equivalent that’s better than Supima?
                                      Vary fascinated to hear… certainly no rush though.

                                      last edited by 15 Jan 2014, 00:48 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • G
                                        Giles
                                        IHUK Crew
                                        Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                                        Haraki & and Ono-san sit down and work out what Haraki needs out of the finished fabric.  There are certain things Haraki just does care about (though Pima is obviously something he is not keen on).  Does X do the job?  Yes.  Good.

                                        I can also tell when he feels a question is unnecessary and he is irritated.  This is one of them.

                                        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                                        last edited by 15 Jan 2014, 08:16 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • F
                                          Friday
                                          Joined: 27 Mar 2012

                                          Congrats on the AMA G-San. Learned a lot.

                                          Tough, heavy and ready! = IRON HEART

                                          ~Shinici Haraki~

                                          last edited by 15 Jan 2014, 10:10 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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