Hunter wades in with surging profits and expanded range

HUNTER, the iconic British wellington boot maker, has seen annual profits almost quadruple as its expanded range continues to prove a hit with fashionistas both at home and abroad.

The firm, whose roots can be traced back to 1856 in Edinburgh, saw pre-tax profits hit £15.9 million in 2010, up from £4.1m previously, while revenues jumped 118 per cent to £56.4m, accounts released yesterday show.

In the UK sales were up 80 per cent but the company’s range – which now also includes leather footwear and accessories such as weekend bags – has proved particularly popular across the Atlantic, with US sales increasing 198 per cent.

Previously the preserve of the country hunting and shooting set, Hunter has experienced a revival over the past couple of years after it became the music festival footwear of choice for celebrities such as Kate Moss and Lily Allen. Its turnaround has been particularly remarkable given that it went bust in 2006 due to cashflow problems.

Hunter chairman Peter Mullen, who led the private consortium that bought the firm out of administration five years ago, said of the results: “This performance is the result of the successful implementation of our two-pronged growth strategy focusing on product innovation and market growth.”

Hunter employs more than half of its 56 UK staff in Edinburgh, where it moved its headquarters in 2008 from Dumfries.

NATHALIE THOMAS