One way to judge someone’s passion for their work is what they risk to pursue it.
After logging more than 25 years working for some of the leading makers of athletic socks, Hugh Gaither made a decision. He believed that he could create a better performance sock and, closer to the end of his career than the beginning, he set out to prove it.
“It’s been great having this partnership right in our backyard, so close to home.”
– Joe & John Gaither, Feetures
He launched Feetures in 2002 and today, with his sons Joe and John actively involved, their family-owned brand claims the leading market share in the running channel.
“From the beginning it was about premium performance, making a better product for runners and athletes,” said John Gaither who serves as the company’s vice president of product. “Our brand grew in parallel with the running craze, and the running specialty channel is where we dominate, selling in chains and specialty stores all over the world.”
An obsession with quality separates the brand in the marketplace. Feetures defends their quality claims with a guaranteed-for-life promise to their customers. “They pay a premium for our product,” John said. “They expect the socks to hold up. If they don’t, we make it right.”
That brand promise makes the company especially picky about whom they partner with as suppliers. Overseas mills had always made their products, but there was a desire to find a domestic supplier. They met many but didn’t connect for any number of reasons.
That changed in 2017 when Harriss & Covington reached out. “The timing was good,” John said, “and we felt a connection right from the start, Harriss & Covington being a family business like ours. Secondly, we think alike in terms of the partnership model. We both take the long-term view. Not just an order here or there.”
Chemistry is one thing, capability is another, and the latter is a must when working with Feetures. There is no compromising on their standards.
“We’re selective,” John said. “What was clear very quickly was they had the technical expertise. There also has to be the willingness to adapt, and Harriss & Covington showed us they would make the necessary investment in our business.”
Feetures prides itself on innovation and pushing the envelope. Which happens to be a trait Harriss & Covington also proudly pursues. And John agrees
“Good example: We felt we could make our merino product more durable. It is a wool product, a natural fiber and not as durable as a synthetic. We leaned on Harriss & Covington to give us some direction and help us figure it out, and they came through.”
Now, in addition to Feetures’ Merino 10 product line, Harriss & Covington are also manufacturing their High Performance product, and they’re teed up to take on their golf line.
“And we’re looking for more ways to expand this relationship down the line,” John said. “It’s been great having this partnership right in our backyard, so close to home.”
In 2002, after spending 25+ years with a leading manufacturer of athletic socks, Hugh Gaither believed that there was an opportunity to create a better performance sock that took advantage of the latest breakthroughs in sock technology. Today his sons John and Joe are actively involved in the business and together we continue to harness new technology with the goal of producing the best performance socks in the world.
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We have a diverse bank of single cylinder and double cylinder jacquard knitting equipment. Our core focus is single cylinder, and our machines span 108n to 200n with the vast majority being 144n. Our double cylinder machines are 144n. Over the past several years, Harriss & Covington has made significant investments in state-of-the-art knitting machines with toe closure. Nearly all our equipment is selective terry capable, allowing us to add targeted cushioning in select zones for specific applications and activities.
“We were looking for a partnership. Additionally, when I toured the facility and met the people, I got the sense of a company that wanted to innovate, they wanted to explore, they were interested in a challenge.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Fully automated, microprocessor-controlled dye equipment ensures consistency and range from smaller sample machines up to 400-pound production machinery. Dryers are also fully automated.
“The timing was good and we felt a connection right from the start, Harriss & Covington being a family business like ours. Secondly, we think alike in terms of the partnership model. We both take the long-term view. Not just an order here or there.”
Joe & John Gaither, Feetures
Combining electric heat and steam applications ensures the very best layout dimensions as specified by our customers. Every sock — children to men’s extra large sizes — is inspected post-boarding for proper size, fit, about dimensions, shade consistency and any detectable defect.
“The spirit of innovative thinking is on both sides. We go to them, they come to us. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner for us and our business. They have allowed us to innovate and that is how we stay ahead of a very competitive marketplace.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Unlike traditional textile printing methods such as heat transfer or dye sublimation, DTG printing uses specialized ink in order to print directly onto the garment giving the company the ability to print more specialized artwork, smaller runs and more customizations for customers.
“From the first meeting with Harriss & Covington, I knew there was something special about these guys. It was a like-minded business, similar in size and goals, and I always look for that. If you’re not matched up there, it won’t work. A huge company has different goals than ours, and one that is too small may not have the expertise or be able to stretch or change direction or go really fast when you need to.”
Justin Cleveland, Allbirds
High-volume multiple packs, specialized hanger packs, cardboard inserts, swiftachs, automated bagging lines, sole transfer — our packaging and folding department is equipped and experienced in every demand.
“Here we are after all this time, and Harriss & Covington still finds ways to surprise us. They are always pushing the envelope, and of course at Smartwool we do, too. We ask, ‘Can you do this?’ And they never say no.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Error-free shipping and distribution to thousands of customer-specific destinations from our state-of-the-art warehouse. The latest computerized barcoding and check-weighing technologies track and monitor made-to-order, on-demand, case stock, pick-pack orders from shelf stock and case shipments that include all types of in-store displays.
“The timing was good and we felt a connection right from the start, Harriss & Covington being a family business like ours. Secondly, we think alike in terms of the partnership model. We both take the long-term view. Not just an order here or there.”
Joe & John Gaither, Feetures
More than 150 years of collective experience fuels an R&D department outfitted with the latest CAD systems. Whether it’s developing new and exciting products or executing quick tuns on samples, Harriss & Covington’s R&D delivers for our customers.
“The spirit of innovative thinking is on both sides. We go to them, they come to us. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner for us and our business. They have allowed us to innovate and that is how we stay ahead of a very competitive marketplace.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Comprehensive, military-standard methodology audits quality at every stage of manufacturing, applying a pass/fail at every point through the process. For nearly a century, Harriss & Covington’s reputation for quality has been unsurpassed.
“From the first meeting with Harriss & Covington, I knew there was something special about these guys. It was a like-minded business, similar in size and goals, and I always look for that. If you’re not matched up there, it won’t work. A huge company has different goals than ours, and one that is too small may not have the expertise or be able to stretch or change direction or go really fast when you need to.”
Justin Cleveland, Allbirds
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