ABOUT US:

From canvas tent making during World War I to our present day high-end luggage and sporting accessories manufacturing, J.W. Hulme Company's craftspeople have been making distinctive luxury leather and canvas bags since 1905. Their skill, commitment to time-honored techniques and absolute dedication to quality have made the J.W. Hulme Co. name synonymous with high quality products.

For J.W. Hulme Co., which has never considered going off-shore with its production, Made in the USA is a true reflection of its philosophy. Our unique, handmade bags speak to a time when rugged American individualism was valued and people personally knew of someone who was a true artisan. From the materials we choose to the elegant hardware we use, the J.W. Hulme Co. pledge is to produce exceptional, unique and valued bags and accessories for discerning customers. The proof is in the look and feel of our bags which are backed with a lifetime guarantee.

The J.W. Hulme Co. collection ranges from duffle bags to brief cases to sporting and hunting gear. J.W. Hulme Co., which has been in St Paul, Minnesota for over 100 years, has 25 employees.

IN THE WORDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS:

"I do love your products. Very noble, beyond classy."

-D. Giannandrea

"Thanks for the 'you can't get better than this' feeling that comes with all the goods you sell. I am an extremely satisfied customer."

-M. Hunt

"What loyalty to your customers! It is seldom that one runs into this kind of old fashioned integrity."

-C. Eidson

HISTORY:

1905-1919
John W Hulme and his brother found themselves agreeing to a business deal to make tents for the looming war. Along with their expertise in making awnings, they were eager to do their part for the war effort. From the time they started the company to the early 1920s, tents and awnings were the main focus of the business.

1920s-1940s
J.W. Hulme Co. remained actively involved in the production of large heavy duty canvas tents highly sought after in times of war. As the need for canvas tents waned following the wars, the company turned its attention to providing awnings for the elite of Saint Paul society. J.W. Hulme Co. also began to design and manufacture canvas and leather bags and accessories for Minnesota sporting hunters. J.W. Hulme Co. grew to become a well known Saint Paul institution.

Fast-Forward to 1975
J.W. Hulme Co. was purchased by Norton Cross and a new phase of interesting historical development began. Norton – being an avid outdoorsman - kept the canvas awning business going while designing and beginning the manufacturing of sporting duffles. Based on the old duffles his grandfather had shown him, Norton created a line of canvas carrying bags that became instantly popular with the outdoor set. The bags became so popular that Gokey, a local Saint Paul outfitter and national catalog firm, looked to J.W. Hulme Co. to develop and produce a line of sporting bags and accessories which they sold successfully for years.

1987
J.W. Hulme Co. began manufacturing a similar line for Orvis, a sporting manufacturing and retail giant. The business was booming!!

1990
Orvis purchased Gokey. J.W. Hulme Co. continued to make both Orvis and Gokey bags and accessories.

1992-1997
Orvis moved its operation to Missouri and decided to take over the manufacturing of its bags and accessories. Orvis began moving production overseas. This led to the end of the production relationship with J.W. Hulme Co. in 1997.

1997
The first exclusively J.W. Hulme Co. product catalog was mailed with “The Original” tagline touting J.W. Hulme Co. bags as the original Orvis products. This positioned J.W. Hulme Co. to move away from private label manufacturing and to building its own branded products.

2000
The awning division of the J.W. Hulme Co. was sold. The company furthered its aim at becoming a premier, high-end, luggage and sporting bags manufacturer for the USA.

2003
J.W. Hulme Co. was purchased by Chuck Bidwell and Jen Guarino. They quickly re-established J.W. Hulme Co.’s commitment to top quality and Made in USA products with the promise to keep all design and production in the US. They furthered their commitment by backing the products with a lifetime guarantee and offering unsurpassed customer service. In addition, they put new strategies into place to promote the brand and its impressive legacy by no longer producing private label for other brands.

TODAY:

Quality and service are as real today as they were in 1905 as J.W. Hulme Co. continues to craft its bags on the banks of the Mississippi River, employing the most skilled canvas and leather artisans. J.W. Hulme Co. has expanded its line from two to eleven collections including all leather luxury travel, professional and women’s bags in addition to its original canvas sporting and hunting bags. These bags and accessories are sold across the United States. The Made in USA J.W. Hulme Co. brand is also being sought after from more and more international retailers.

OUR LATEST:

J.W. Hulme Co.’s newest collection, American Heritage, is perhaps the most symbolic of its rich tradition. We’ve taken our best styles and aged them to perfection creating the look of a 40 year old favorite. We asked our tannery to make this distressed full grain leather. We then complement their work by buffing and antiquing each item by hand in our leather workshop to recreate the natural wear patterns of a well worn bag.