Well heeled: Hunters making a splash in the park

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 02/10/2012 00:00

HUNTER Boot, the Edinburgh-based maker of the iconic green wellie, yesterday hailed its push into overseas markets for a 38 per cent rise in turnover.

Demand from Europe and the Far East helped international sales to rise by 66 per cent, while revenues from the United States lifted 11 per cent.

Domestic sales surged ahead by 53 per cent as the company’s wellington boots continued to prove popular with music festival goers and other fashionistas as well as its traditional market among the countryside set and the landed gentry.

Turnover rose to just over £77 million in 2011 from £56m in 2010 though the firm’s margins were flat, leaving operating profits to rise to £22.1m from £16m.

Private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners last year took a controlling stake in Hunter Boot, which traces its roots back to 1856, leaving London-based brand management group Pentland with a minority stake.