Huntech was the brain child of Steve Richards, an avid hunter, who has spent more time in the bush or on top of a mountain than most. Steve never does anything by halves. When he goes hunting he will go for days on end in some of the most rugged and demanding spots on earth.
Most hunting gear in the early 80’s was just woollen farming / lifestyle garments and while good at the time they just didn’t quite cut it. Out of necessity and sheer determination, Steve decided that he could design and make hunting clothing from more modern fabrics and most of all, garments specifically to meet the demands of the hunter.
So, in 1988 Huntech was formed and Steve released the first ever range of dedicated Hunting apparel into the Australasian market. His first range was made from high quality American imported polar fleece fabric which he stitched together in his garage into different styles. They were an instant hit and word soon spread to retailers who wanted to stock the range. The polar fleece range has proven to be so popular that every brand now has a staple of these same styles of fleece products still in their ranges today.
Steve had an eye for innovation and always strived to use and test the latest fabrics and technologies to create the perfect hunting garment or accessory. With the introduction of three layer laminates and the introduction of Camouflage patterns, Steve kept the market on their toes. The legendary folklore stories about the Huntech Gaiters and Bivvy still ring around the campfire today.
At the end of 2012, Steve made the tough decision to let go of his baby and put the brand up for sale. Steve knew that the future for the brand meant that production really did need to move away from New Zealand and be based closer to where all of the fabrics and accessories are produced and, dare I say it, more affordable labour rates and higher production outputs. Steve was inundated with offers from all over the globe. It was Steve’s passion for the brand and the absolute assurance that the brand would carry on with the same integrity and quality that he had achieved over the years that saw him sell Huntech to Global Velocity Group (GVG).
Global Velocity Group is a New Zealand owned company that has ties and production contracts with many leading brands throughout Australasia. With the acquisition of Huntech, it has allowed Global Velocity’s design and technical team to combine their talents in leading outdoor clothing and technical sportswear together to push the boundaries of innovation technology and style.
It is Huntech’s goal to produce hunting clothing and accessories which adhere to best practices in sustainability, technicality, performance and comfort. GVG worked closely with its long term partners offshore to set up a factory specifically for manufacturing their products – including Huntech – and we are achieving those goals.
Over the past few years, the Huntech range has grown and improved. We have progressively introduced new technical, high quality gear – especially kit that hunters have requested. That gear has been put through its paces by some of New Zealand's top hunters, guides and conservationists, well before it hit the shelves; ensuring that the finished product meets the most exacting standards.
As the Huntech brand continues to grow, our mission is to continue serving Hunters, Guides, Conservationists, and lovers of the outdoors with the best clothing and accessories.
