A “Made in America” sports apparel brand based in Arizona is exhibiting its sports apparel for the first time at two of the industry's largest trade shows this January. Advanced textiles and fabric printing technologies are allowing Hele to ship snow sports apparel in as little as one-tenth the time it takes offshore manufacturers, helping retailers manage inventory and cash flow.

Denver, CO -- (SBWire) -- 01/19/2015 --Hele, an apparel brand based in Phoenix, AZ, is out to prove that U.S. snow sports apparel doesn't have to be manufactured offshore to be competitive. The company is showcasing its innovative new textile printing technology and "ludicrous" production speeds at two of the industry's largest trade shows—The Winter Sports Market and SIA Snow Show—at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO later this month.

Hele will show its 2015 line of Premium Neckwarmers, WinterTubes™, Flyweight Masks™ and other snow sports accessories at The Winter Sports Market from January 26 through 28 (booth # 219) and the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show from January 29 through February 1 (booth # 2075). Show attendees are encouraged to stop by and be part of the daily draw to win either an I-Pad Mini® or $500 of free merchandise for resale.

Hele's "Just-In-Time" printing processes and small minimum orders allow retailers to invest minimal amounts of money in small test batches of the company's protective accessories and apparel. These "Mad Minimums" let the retailer see how well a product or design sells before committing to a large order, explains Hele co-founder, Matt Boyd. "Our fully digital fabric printing processes allow us to produce short runs far faster than our overseas competition," he explains. "A typical sports apparel shipment from Asia might arrive as much as a year after the U.S. retailer has placed the order," Boyd says.

The Winter Sports Market, organized by the Snowsports Merchandising Corporation and Sports Specialists, Ltd., represents the kick-off of the buying/selling season for snow sports apparel retailers.

The Snow Show attracts over 96% of the supplier market share for winter apparel— including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country and snowshoe apparel—according to organizers. Retailers attend the events to help make buying decisions for next season in the apparel niche that represents nearly $616 million in sales in the U.S. annually, according to the SIA.

Because the Arizona-based company controls every aspect of the design and production process in-house, Hele produces stylish protective accessories and apparel like Premium Neckwarmers, Flyweight Masks™ and LavaTubes™ in a fraction of the time it may take a Chinese or Vietnamese manufacturer, according to Boyd. Sometimes the speed takes retailers off-guard: "Holy cow! You sent samples of the logos that you worked up already?!!!! What, are you miracle workers? Are you a factory of magic elves?" asked Wendy P., a buyer from the Chile Pepper Bike Shop in Moab, UT.

"Our production speed is unheard of in the snow sports apparel industry," notes Boyd's business partner, Cynthia Valenzuela. Debbie, with The Ski Shop, Inc. in Colorado Springs, CO. shares "I have had to place many reorders throughout the season because the Hele product sells almost as fast as it comes in the door." She adds that with Hele's low minimum orders, and quick delivery, "I never have to worry about missing a sale."

About Hele Custom Workshop
Hele designs and manufactures stylish protective accessories and apparel for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Sold at resorts throughout the U.S., the firm's Hele brand of Premium Neckwarmers, WinterTubes™, and Flyweight Masks are also available direct to the public at LiveHele.com. The company's innovative digital textile printing processes allow Hele to offer apparel retailers "Mad Minimums" and "Ludicrous" production speed.

About the Snowsports Merchandising Corporation Winter Sports Market
WSM 2015 will be held January 26-28, 2015 at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO. WSM is SMC's annual trade show. It's an opportunity for a select group of suppliers to present products and buying group programs for the following season in an efficient, cost-effective format. It represents the kick-off of the buying/selling season.

About The Snow Show organized by the Snowsports Industries America
The SIA Snow Show, January 29 - February 1, 2015 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO, will deliver the "largest, most concentrated and authentic trade event in the snow sports industry," according to organizers.