I've often wondered where my Harlick boots come from and how they're made. For the last 10 years, Rich Liebenow at the Pro Shop at the Mennen Sports Arena in New Jersey makes tracings of my foot and 2 months later, voilà! beautiful tan boots appear at my door. So during a recent trip out to California, I stopped by Harlick & Co. to meet with Phil Kuhn (president of the company) and wife Ginger, and their 3 sons, who gave me a tour of their factory and how the boot-making process begins and ends.
My tour guide for the day was James, Phil and Ginger's 29 year old son (who is also a twin), and who has worked in the company for the last 10 years. Here is James sitting in the king's throne in the fitting area, where measurements and tracings are made.
Phil and Ginger (below) and family employ 15 people to work in the factory. Phil emphasized the importance of maintaining the small, family-like feel to the company in order to consistently make the highest quality boots for their clients. Unlike other manufacturers which mass produce boots, Harlick makes 60-75 boots per month, of which 75% are custom made orders.
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