Originally working for a well-known bag manufacturing company Liam Power gained a lot of experience in the industry. After his employer closed down, Liam was left unemployed. With a family of four to feed, he needed to think quick and come up with something that could help support his family. Liam decided he could go it alone and build a bag manufacturing business right here in Waterford - and that’s just what he did.
There were no large factories to produce the bags for Liam he started everything on the family's kitchen table!
With a loan of £400 from the Credit Union, Liam bought a sewing machine from his previous employer and quickly turned their family kitchen into the factory for Sporthouse. Starting to produce bags in 1984 Liam’s company kept growing and extending as the demand for orders began to flood in. Liam did intensive market research by driving to stores around the country and asking what products they wanted to see from his new company.
From here he started designing and producing the bags using strong materials that made the bags durable and highly functional. Compared to the fashionable products that were already on the market Liam knew that his sturdy creation would fill the niche other companies were not.
After opening a factory in an industrial park, Sporthouse was entered into RTE's 'Up and Running' Entrepreneur competition and went on to win 1st place. An incredible award for Liam and his family to win.
They began to get bigger contracts after RTE’s award including contracts with An Post, the Irish Army, and the FCA. They also started to get work from abroad which included 'Field and Trek' which is based in the UK, 'Basecamp' which is a German company and they also did business with the Dutch company 'Greywolf.'
From humble beginnings, Sporthouse grew to become an international manufacturing company that supplied bags to companies all over the world. School bags, travel bags, and rucksacks were in demand internationally and here in Ireland.
Sporthouse became known for its outstanding quality and longevity as well as friendly customer service and reliable aftercare.
Liam and Ann’s son, Ian, is now working with Sporthouse to continue on the ethos the company started out with. He still wants to provide the public with outstanding quality, longevity, friendly customer service, and reliable aftercare. What more would you want from a bag!
Sporthouse has always been loyal to its customers and it is because of this factor that Sporthouse has been able to continue to grow.
The company is always eager to hear messages from customers who proudly wore their Sporthouse bag many moons ago, and are thrilled to be buying one for their children now.
Originally working for a well-known bag manufacturing company Liam Power gained a lot of experience in the industry. After his employer closed down, Liam was left unemployed. With a family of four to feed, he needed to think quick and come up with something that could help support his family. Liam decided he could go it alone and build a bag manufacturing business right here in Waterford - and that’s just what he did.
There were no large factories to produce the bags for Liam he started everything on the family's kitchen table!
With a loan of £400 from the Credit Union, Liam bought a sewing machine from his previous employer and quickly turned their family kitchen into the factory for Sporthouse. Starting to produce bags in 1984 Liam’s company kept growing and extending as the demand for orders began to flood in. Liam did intensive market research by driving to stores around the country and asking what products they wanted to see from his new company.
From here he started designing and producing the bags using strong materials that made the bags durable and highly functional. Compared to the fashionable products that were already on the market Liam knew that his sturdy creation would fill the niche other companies were not.
Expanding Sporthouse
After opening a factory in an industrial park, Sporthouse was entered into RTE's 'Up and Running' Entrepreneur competition and went on to win 1st place. An incredible award for Liam and his family to win.
They began to get bigger contracts after RTE’s award including contracts with An Post, the Irish Army, and the FCA. They also started to get work from abroad which included 'Field and Trek' which is based in the UK, 'Basecamp' which is a German company and they also did business with the Dutch company 'Greywolf.'
From humble beginnings, Sporthouse grew to become an international manufacturing company that supplied bags to companies all over the world. School bags, travel bags, and rucksacks were in demand internationally and here in Ireland.
Sporthouse became known for its outstanding quality and longevity as well as friendly customer service and reliable aftercare.
What's Next For Sporthouse
Liam and Ann’s son, Ian, is now working with Sporthouse to continue on the ethos the company started out with. He still wants to provide the public with outstanding quality, longevity, friendly customer service, and reliable aftercare. What more would you want from a bag!
Sporthouse has always been loyal to its customers and it is because of this factor that Sporthouse has been able to continue to grow.
The company is always eager to hear messages from customers who proudly wore their Sporthouse bag many moons ago, and are thrilled to be buying one for their children now.
$132.00