Ukrainian backpacks HURU that won the hearts of buyers around the world
The HURU brand was created in 2017. The brand’s history started when its future founder was having a hard time finding his perfect backpack. That’s when it was decided to develop his own first model of a backpack, which would be durable, stylish, and practical. In 2018 and 2019, two new models were added to the HURU product line.
«It takes time to create every new product, we can’t rush these things and let people down», Oleh Vlasenko, founder and CEO of HURU.
Before the war with russia, our company was active in brand development in Ukraine and abroad. In Ukraine, we successfully implemented projects on creating brand awareness. Besides, we actively cooperated with businesses and retail locations, such as TSUM Kyiv, UNIT.City, Kooperativ, etc.
Our cooperation with SkyUP, when we provided the airline’s personnel with our backpacks, and cooperation with KLM Ukraine best illustrate our successful work. Besides, at the end of 2021, we implemented a large-scale project jointly with MasterCard and the famous Ukrainian architect Slava Balbek: together with Slava, we created a new unique backpack.
How the war has impacted our business
From the first days of the full-scale russian invasion of the territory of Ukraine, we’ve been feeling significant support from our customers from all over the world: they started ordering our products in large numbers, expressing their support for Ukraine in this way. We have received an impressive number of supportive emails from Japan, USA, United Kingdom, etc.
«In the first two months of the war, we relocated our office to Lviv, but now we are back in Kyiv and working from here again. We hope to continue our work here and believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine».
Since our production facilities are located in Lviv, the manufacturing process was not directly affected by the war. If we look at the overall picture, unfortunately, the impact of the war was felt in the following aspects: increase in the cost of materials and logistics, longer delivery period, employees fleeing abroad, decrease in the purchasing power of Ukrainians, suspension of the work of domestic Ukrainian resellers, restrictions on traveling to visit exhibitions and events abroad, etc. But we are not giving up, we are moving forward with confidence to deliver high-quality products to our customers.
Export
As for our work internationally, the history of HURU dates back to 2017. It started with a crowdfunding campaign on the Kickstarter platform in the United States. Having received positive feedback, it was decided to develop the brand. The USA and Japan were identified as the company’s international vectors. These markets have become fundamental for us because they have an established culture of using backpacks in everyday life.
«We work to win the hearts of buyers around the world and to share with as many people as possible that Ukraine is where our product is manufactured».
At the beginning of 2022, the company's clients included citizens from over 50 countries. We export our backpacks, in particular, to Europe, the USA, Japan, Singapore and Australia. We are happy that our product is purchased in batches through corporate orders or local crowdfunding companies.
Social responsibility of our business during the war
We cooperate with the volunteer organization «Volunteers of Culture.» At their request, we provide our backpacks to the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Territorial Defense Units. Besides, we gladly gave our backpacks free of charge to all defenders who needed them and will give them to those defenders who will need them in the future. We also donated our warehouse stocks of fabric for the needs of Kyiv Territorial Defence Units to use them for sewing the necessary ammunition.
We are not afraid to conquer the world, because we are confident in the quality of our product! Ukraine above all!
- Website: https://huru.rocks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hurubackpack
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hurubackpack
This article has been prepared for the special project «Trade with Ukraine: tell the world Ukraine works». The project aims to promote domestic export-oriented enterprises, operating during the war, in Ukraine and abroad.
USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine supports EEPO in their efforts and initiatives to promote Ukraine’s businesses in Ukraine and abroad. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.