A deepening recession and a wet summer may have been bad news for most of us, but conditions are perfect for the expansion of Ireland’s leading outdoor clothing firm, Portwest.
The Mayo-based sport apparel and workwear firm officially opened its new Galway premises on High Street on August 1 with the creation of 15 new jobs, and Portwest is enjoying enormous success since it began trading. The company is delighted with the response it has received since opening its doors and customers are happy to support an indigenous Irish company during the current economic climate. Portwest is one of the only Irish companies producing outdoor clothing and is well known for its high quality waterproof clothing and wetsuits.
The wet summer and growing domestic tourism has seen customers flock to the new flagship store in the former Kenny’s bookshop and art gallery. The building, which has foundations dating back to the 16th century, has undergone a €250,000 refit and now boasts two levels packed with waterproof jackets, wetsuits, hiking apparel, surf boards, kayaks, footwear, rucksacks, and fleeces, including safety equipment and uniforms for all trades ranging from the building site to the kitchen.
“Many curious Galway people are just coming in to have a look at what’s going on in the Kenny’s building which has always been a city institution,” said managing director Owen Hughes. “I’m happy to say most of them are also spotting how keen our pricing is for top quality watersports and work gear, and many are leaving with a full shopping bag.”
Mr Hughes is the third generation of the well-known Westport dynasty to run the family-owned textile business, established in 1904 by Charles Hughes. The new shop is managed by William Greer alongside Owen’s niece, the fourth generation of Hughes to work for the company which employs 300 staff in Ireland, Britain, and Poland, as well as an office in Fuzhou, China.
Portwest designs much of its product line in-house, and its outdoor clothing and watersports equipment is manufactured to high standards with the temperamental Irish weather in mind. The shop also sells a wide range of international brands including Roxy, Animal, Quiksilver, Berghaus, JanSport, Regatta, Craghopper, O’Neil, Hi-Tec, and Columbia.
Mr Hughes says for too long Irish outdoor enthusiasts have paid “exorbitant prices” for branded gear and this is why he has brought the Portwest brand to Galway.
Portwest is expecting revenues of €40 million in 2009 — a tiny slice of the European workwear sector conservatively estimated to be worth in excess of €2 billion annually. The 100 per cent Irish-owned firm is aiming to open 15 shops by 2012 and is currently seeking premises in Dublin.
The full range of Portwest products is now available at the new store at 20 High Street, Galway. You can also find Portwest clothing at www.portwest.ie or contact the shop on (091 ) 532550.
