Timbuk2

In 1873, the sewing industry was born in San Francisco when the US Patent Office granted patent #139,121 for riveted worker pants to Levi's blue jeans. Just over 100 years later, Rob Honeycutt founds Zo Bags in San Francisco. Rob Honeycutt, a bicycle courier, buys a used sewing machine and orders fabric and buckles on the wholesale market. He spends a total of 200 US dollars, almost his entire fortune. He produces 50 black bicycle handlebar bags, which look great but are only sold in one store in the whole of San Francisco. On his courier rounds, he notices how many people, even those who don't work as couriers, ask him where they can buy the bags. Rob seized the opportunity and developed his first courier bags. He sells the first unit at 'The Freewheel' and his courier bag company, Scumbags, is born. In 1990, Honeycutt comes to the conclusion that the name 'Scumbags' doesn't have enough credibility for a real bag company. He therefore looks for a new name, taking inspiration from the legendary city of Timbuktu in Africa and the indie band Timbuk3, which ultimately leads him to the label name Timbuk2. In the summer of the same year, Rob designed his "one-at-a-time" production system, in which all the materials required are stored within reach of the machines so that they can be produced immediately when an order is placed. Each bag is made by Rob himself, a one-man show.

 

When Rob scribbled on a napkin with a felt-tip pen in 1991, he drew the brand's original logo, the 'Swirl', for the first time. In the same year, the company relocated from Rob's basement to 217 Dore Street in San Francisco. A year later, the company moved back to Emeryville and hired its first full-time seamstress. In the following years, Honeycutt learns to optimize the mass production of his bags and introduces his first three-color courier bag. Finally, in 1999, Timbuk2 begins working on an Internet version of the store where customers can order their bags. In 2000, another revolution follows: customers can now design their own bags on the website. In the following years, the company introduces the first computer and laptop bags, yoga and training bags and the logo gets a makeover. In 2006, the first flagship store is opened in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. Another two years later, Timbuk2 completes its factory model by creating a work environment like no other. Plants are planted in and around the production floor, lighting is improved, and machine ergonomics are enhanced, resulting in a productivity increase of over 20%. Rob wanted the office staff and the production team to be under one roof, which is why the company moved in February 2010. The new premises were more modern and also provided a home for the more than 60 employees, some dogs and a disco ball.