Hickey Freeman
| File:Hickey freeman logo.png | |
| File:Hickey Freeman facilities.JPG Production facility located in Rochester, New York | |
| Industry | Apparel |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1899 |
| Founder | Jeremiah G. Hickey |
| Headquarters | Rochester, New York |
Key people | List
|
| Products | Suits |
| Website | hickeyfreeman.com |
Hickey Freeman is a producer of men's and boys' suits established in Rochester, New York, United States, in 1899. The company operated its manufacturing plant there from 1908 until the year 2023. In that year, ownership of the brand and the historic production facility separated: the Hickey-Freeman label, now under the ownership of Authentic Brands Group,[1] shifted its manufacturing to Mexican factories managed by Peerless Clothing.[2]
Meanwhile, the Rochester plant was acquired by the Tom James Company, which owns the related but separate "H. Freeman" label.[3] Renamed Rochester Tailoring Company, the factory continues to produce tailored clothing under this new identity as well as fulfilling multiple contracts,[4] including orders for the US Military and the apparel brand Epaulet.[5]
History
Jeremiah G. Hickey (1866–1960) worked as a bookkeeper during the late 19th century for Wile, Brickner & Wile, which was then Rochester's largest men's clothing manufacturer. His close associate Jacob L. Freeman (deceased 1925) was an independent contractor for the same firm. Alongside fellow employees Thomas Mahon and George A. Brayer from Wile, Brickner & Wile, they established Hickey, Freeman, & Mahon Co. in 1899. Since Jeremiah ("Jerry") Hickey provided most of the initial capital and Mahon did not invest initially, the company name was modified in 1900 to Hickey-Freeman Co.
In 1902, the firm expanded by acquiring Michael Kolb & Co.'s business along with its larger premises. Further growth led to a merger in 1908 with Beckel, Baum & Leopold Co., while retaining the Hickey-Freeman name. Emmett Baum, then president of Beckel, Baum & Leopold Co., assumed vice-presidency at Hickey-Freeman following this merger and played a key role in steering the company toward producing exclusively high-quality garments starting that year. At a time when ready-to-wear suits rarely incorporated skilled handcraftsmanship, Hickey-Freeman distinguished itself through superior quality standards.
By 1912, sufficient capital and business volume enabled Hickey-Freeman to construct a new, larger factory on N. Clinton Ave., situated on Rochester’s northern edge. Known as The Temple, this location was strategically selected based on a survey revealing that most employees resided within walking distance to ensure workforce retention. Despite being among the most advanced facilities nationwide at its inception, demand growth during the 1920s necessitated two expansions to accommodate over 1,700 workers.
The company was acquired by Hartmarx Corporation in 1964.
In 2004, significant renovations were completed at the factory with financial support including $4 million from state taxpayers and $1 million from Rochester city funds.[6]
Following Hartmarx’s bankruptcy filing in the United States in 2009, its assets were purchased in August that year by Emerisque Brands UK alongside SKNL North America and integrated into the HMX holding company. In 2012, Authentic Brands Group, specializing in acquiring and managing intellectual property with a focus on long-term consumer brand value growth, acquired HMX including Hickey Freeman.
Grano Retail Investments Inc., owner of luxury tailored menswear brand Samuelsohn Ltd., took over physical assets such as the Rochester factory and secured a forty-year license for the Hickey-Freeman trademark in 2013.[7]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, production shifted temporarily toward manufacturing masks and other essential personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals.[8]
On May 18, 2023 it was revealed that manufacturing of suits under the Hickey Freeman brand would relocate to facilities in Mexico[9] with design and production responsibilities contracted out to Peerless Clothing.[10]
The Rochester facility maintained operations producing garments for other labels ensuring employment continuity for all staff.[11] Plans were announced to rebrand this operation as "Rochester Tailored Clothing" alongside opening a retail outlet within Rochester.[10] The former Hickey Freeman factory was purchased by Tom James Co. in 2023.[12]
Presidents
| Name | Period of Service |
|---|---|
| Jeremiah G. Hickey | 1899–1959 |
| Morton J. Baum | 1959–1963 |
| Walter B. D. Hickey, Sr. | 1963–1976 |
| Walter B. D. "Duffy" Hickey, Jr. | 1976–1984 |
| Gasper Tirone | 1982–1991 |
| Homi Patel (Hartmarx Corp) | 1988–1992 |
| Steven Weiner | 1992–1998 |
| Paulette Garafalo | 1998–2008 |
| Stephen Granovsky (Grano Retail Investments) | 2013–2023 |
See also
References
- ↑ Authentic Brands Group: Hickey Freeman
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- ↑ IAG brands
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- ↑ Samuelsohn to add Hickey-Freeman WWD
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External links
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- CNN Transcript Regarding Hickey Freeman
- Rochester's Hickey Freeman Company Maintains Tradition
Template:Authentic Brands Group Template:City of Rochester, NY