Tonak Factory, September 6, 2019

[mayserwegener]

Tonak Factory, September 6, 2019

This was my second visit to the Tonak factory. I toured the factory back in May of 2011. Unfortunately this time we didn't tour the Fur processing (Cutting, Pickling, Blowing) section possibly due to time constraints. I met Hans Hückel who was born in Nový Jičín / Neutitschein and after WWII ended up in Montreal in 1950 where he still resides. Hans told me he visited my website but didn't think he would ever meet me so that was a great surprise. We are keeping in touch by email so hopefully I will get to meet him again. I also met the majority owner of Tonak Mikael Ahlström of Sweden and owner Michael Tělecký from the Czech Republic along with other Tonak board members. Again I was surprised to learn that they have also visited my website. After the visit I received I very nice email from Mr. Ahlström which was very kind of him. I would like to thank everyone at Tonak for being such fantastic hosts. I would also like give major thanks to Radek Polách Deputy Director Museum of the Nový Jičín who is the author of the Tonak 220 book and organized such a great event. One very interesting fact I learned is that Tonak are importing Wild Hare (for Velour) from Argentina. (The photos were taken by novojicinsky.denik.cz.)

Tonak factory employee entrance.

Original Johann Hückel´s Söhne factory building dating back to 1868.

Hückel Group arrival.

Felt and Hat Production building.

Felt and Hat Production building.

Felt Production

Felt Dying

Capeline Forming

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

Hat forming.

Specialty Finishing

Dressing Department

They were working on Fez from the African market. Some had very nice Velour finishes and fancy embroidery work.

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

Tonak Showroom.

Tonak with Hückel group members.

Mikael Ahlström majority owner of Tonak.

Hans Hückel

Hückel Villas that across from the Tonak / JHS factory complex.

Johann Hückel´s Söhne Factory now Tonak Factory.

 

[steur]

Outstanding series, Steve. Thanks so much for posting these!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

That was a great trip I am sure it was fun.

 

[Garrett]

Thanks for posting, Steve. What a great trip!

 

[Scooterz]

Where's your new hat?

 

[Tukwila]

Wonderful, Steve!

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! Tonak is such a big operation so only saw about half of the factory on this tour. I have a lot more photos to post from other events. This was coupled with the city festival so there was a lot going on. I guess I can put it all here or make separate posts. I didn't buy any hats but I brought two interesting hats with me. I think there are photos of me wearing the hats.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Steve, I'm glad to see the first part of your visit to Tonak on the occasion of the 220th anniversary of the founding of the motherhouse Huckel. This morning I looked at the photographs of the plants and processes, comparing them with what we saw at Borsalino and the Tonak plants are certainly more "modern". It is interesting to note, also from the book that I have carefully "studied" the importance of the dynasty and inheritance that is put in extreme value, minus the hats and this is somewhat the limit of the current Tonak. Their excellent felt hats, finished well with quality materials, but they are all finished preformed and are almost all the same shape, yet there are chances of being competitive. Perhaps something about marketing needs to be rediscovered in the Czech Republic
Hope to see the others chapters of the Tonak 220th soon
I thanks you for the photos, consideration and support to one of the last hats producer still working

 

[RBH]

Thank you!!!!

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Thanks Steve for sharing your visit and travels. I imagine that it was quite satisfying to meet the Tonak management and Hans Hückel. Congrats.

I have revisited your post a couple times and now have your website open reading exerts from your post on the book Anniversary of Tonak. Interesting written account of history. Regardless of the obvious propaganda it is thought provoking.

Thanks very much Steve. A lot of info on your site!

 

[mayserwegener]

Steve, I'm glad to see the first part of your visit to Tonak on the occasion of the 220th anniversary of the founding of the motherhouse Huckel. This morning I looked at the photographs of the plants and processes, comparing them with what we saw at Borsalino and the Tonak plants are certainly more "modern". It is interesting to note, also from the book that I have carefully "studied" the importance of the dynasty and inheritance that is put in extreme value, minus the hats and this is somewhat the limit of the current Tonak. Their excellent felt hats, finished well with quality materials, but they are all finished preformed and are almost all the same shape, yet there are chances of being competitive. Perhaps something about marketing needs to be rediscovered in the Czech Republic
Hope to see the others chapters of the Tonak 220th soon
I thanks you for the photos, consideration and support to one of the last hats producer still working

Danielle, Thanks! I wish there was production information in the book but that is probably asking too much. I agree Tonak has a disconnect design wise but most of their business is still non branded. I also discovered that Tonak is supplying all Fur Felt models for Stetson Europe so that is a big win for them. Also on the women's side they are a big supplier of finished hats and felt hoods & capelines. There was a man visiting Tonak from the US (New Jersey) that has a large supplier to milliners (can't remember the name of the company).

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks Steve for sharing your visit and travels. I imagine that it was quite satisfying to meet the Tonak management and Hans Hückel. Congrats.

I have revisited your post a couple times and now have your website open reading exerts from your post on the book Anniversary of Tonak. Interesting written account of history. Regardless of the obvious propaganda it is thought provoking.

Thanks very much Steve. A lot of info on your site!

Eric, Thank you! Are you reading the 1969 Tonak book exerts? There is a new book that was just released for 2019 (Tonak 220 Years).

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Eric, Thank you! Are you reading the 1969 Tonak book exerts? There is a new book that was just released for 2019 (Tonak 220 Years).

Yes I was. Steve I see info about the new book on the Tonak website ( https://hatparade.tonak.cz/2019/09/15/tonak-celebrates-220-years-with-new-book/).

BTW: The pics on the above referenced page have some of the luminaries you met in the photos at the bottom.

 

[mayserwegener]

Yes I was. Steve I see info about the new book on the Tonak website ( https://hatparade.tonak.cz/2019/09/15/tonak-celebrates-220-years-with-new-book/).

BTW: The pics on the above referenced page have some of the luminaries you met in the photos at the bottom.

Eric, Thank you for the link. The photo is from the book release at the town square. I have some photos of this too.

 

[alanfgag]

What a fantastic journey. Thanks for sharing these excellent photos.

 

[mayserwegener]

What a fantastic journey. Thanks for sharing these excellent photos.

Alan, Thanks!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Danielle, Thanks! I wish there was production information in the book but that is probably asking too much. I agree Tonak has a disconnect design wise but most of their business is still non branded. I also discovered that Tonak is supplying all Fur Felt models for Stetson Europe so that is a big win for them. Also on the women's side they are a big supplier of finished hats and felt hoods & capelines. There was a man visiting Tonak from the US (New Jersey) that has a large supplier to milliners (can't remember the name of the company).

Having worked for many years for advertising, it is normal for Tonak to work as a principal supplier and in market niches (fez) and millinery that, probably, no one is able to treat in the same way as the Czech factory. I consider it a loss for the headwear, they fail to launch a brand, capable of making money and setting a high quality step that the hats market would need. It's a question of business and market strategies, but not being able to get a real high quality niche for traditional hats is a loss for all of us

 

[mayserwegener]

Having worked for many years for advertising, it is normal for Tonak to work as a principal supplier and in market niches (fez) and millinery that, probably, no one is able to treat in the same way as the Czech factory. I consider it a loss for the headwear, they fail to launch a brand, capable of making money and setting a high quality step that the hats market would need. It's a question of business and market strategies, but not being able to get a real high quality niche for traditional hats is a loss for all of us

Daniele, Well said!