There are always a few in every flea market crowd, the faithful shoppers who sport hats and vests bedecked in flashy pins, clustered so closely that they resemble fish scales. For them, as with many flea fans, the market is a treasure hunt and vendors selling pins are the highlight of the trip. Chances are, lovers of these trinkets have purchased a pin or two from a vendor carrying Hoover’s Manufacturing Company’s merchandise. Company president David Hoover has a unique appreciation for these vendors and shoppers, as his relationship with pin collectors goes back many years, to when the company was started in 1963. “The business is an offshoot of my father’s hobby,” he says. “He was a collector.” Hoover’s Manufacturing has been in business for more than 50 years as a manufacturer of pins, patches, medals, belt buckles, caps and more. Its most requested items, especially among flea market and fair vendors, are hat pins.
A Timeless Salute
Hoover’s Manufacturing’s hat pins cater primarily to military enthusiasts, with designs geared toward each branch of the military. There are pins for every conceivable naval ship, airplane and medal of honor, from a wide variety of World War II commemorative pins, to pins of more modern fighter jets. As to why the pins are so popular among his customers, Hoover says, “These pins have a high markup. Vendors receive an excellent return on their investment.” With an average wholesale cost of $0.95 per pin and a suggested retail price of $4.99, the pins are an inexpensive addition to vendors’ booths. “The $25 minimum order is one of the lowest in the industry,” Hoover adds. While there are no displays available to accompany the merchandise, the pins sell well if simply spread out on a table or fixed to a corkboard for customers to view. Hoover’s Manufacturing maintains a high level of inventory and is typically able to ship orders out within 24 hours of order placement. “We’ve stayed in business this long because we take care of our people,” Hoover says. “It’s about catering to their needs.”
For more information:
Hoover’s Manufacturing Company
4133 Progress Blvd.
Peru, IL 61354-0547
Tel.: 815-223-1159
Fax: 815-223-1499
Email: hoover@hmchonors.com
Website: www.hmchonors.com