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2011
The story of Hype Socks began in 2011 with a simple yet powerful realization: sports teams everywhere were struggling to find socks that not only matched their uniforms but also reflected their unique identity. This challenge sparked a vision—to create a brand dedicated to delivering custom socks that fit perfectly and unite teams in both style and spirit. From day one, Hype Socks has been driven by a passion for sports, teamwork, and solving real problems for athletes.
By 2015, Hype Socks took a bold step forward to elevate its commitment to quality and innovation. The company launched its very own hosiery mill, allowing for complete control over every aspect of production. This move wasn’t just about making socks; it was about setting a new standard. With production brought in-house, every pair of Hype Socks was crafted with precision, ensuring unmatched comfort, exceptional design, and the reliability that teams deserve. From the first stitch to the final product, Hype Socks ensured excellence in every pair.
2015
2022
In 2022, Hype Socks celebrated another major milestone by expanding to a second location. This growth marked an exciting chapter in the company’s journey, further solidifying its place as a trusted partner for teams and athletes. The expansion wasn’t just about scaling operations—it was about staying true to what makes Hype Socks special: solving real challenges with products that inspire confidence, unity, and pride. Today, Hype Socks continues to empower teams with socks that do more than fit—they fuel the spirit of winning together.
At Hype Socks, we believe that behind every great brand is a team of passionate individuals driven by a shared purpose. From the start, our journey has been shaped by a group of talented and dedicated people who bring their unique skills and energy to everything we do.
Our team isn’t just about creating socks it’s about building connections. From our designers who craft eye-catching styles to our production specialists who ensure top-notch quality, every person plays a vital role in making Hype Socks what it is today. We’re proud to have a team that genuinely cares about the athletes, teams, and communities we serve.
What truly sets us apart is the personal touch our team brings to every project. Whether it’s brainstorming creative designs, refining production processes, or helping teams find their perfect match, we go the extra mile to make our customers feel valued and supported.
At Hype Socks, we’re more than a company we’re a family, united by our passion for teamwork, innovation, and making a difference one pair of socks at a time.
Hype Socks started in 2011 with a mission to solve a simple yet significant problem: matching custom socks for sports teams. Since then, we’ve grown into a trusted leader in custom sports socks, with innovation and quality at our core.
In 2015, we launched our own hosiery mill, giving us complete control over production and quality—setting a new standard in the industry. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains, our team’s resilience helped us adapt and thrive. This determination led to a major milestone in 2022: the opening of our second facility to better serve our growing customer base.
Our journey reflects passion, perseverance, and progress. From overcoming challenges to achieving milestones, Hype Socks continues to deliver high-quality, custom solutions that unite teams and communities.
At Hype Socks, our mission is simple yet impactful: to provide sports teams with high-quality custom socks that not only match their uniforms but also elevate their performance. We believe that attention to detail can make a big difference, and our socks are crafted to unite teams with style and functionality.
Looking ahead, our vision is to continue innovating in the custom sock industry while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction. We aim to empower athletes and teams worldwide with products that inspire confidence, performance, and team spirit.
Guided by these principles, we strive to remain a leader in custom sportswear, helping teams look and perform their best on and off the field.
Meet Josh, the dynamic founder and driving force behind Hype Socks. Born and raised in Ohio, Josh’s entrepreneurial journey started humbly. His deep-rooted fascination with business began when he was selling socks during high school, paving the way for the inception of Hype Socks in 2013.
lways one to seize a growth opportunity, Josh reinvested his earnings at 22 into a hosiery mill factory in Fort Payne, Alabama, once the Sock Capital of the World. This 2015 key expansion was critical for the company to manufacture our products and control our destiny on our orders.
His vision didn’t stop there. In 2021, he broadened Hype Socks’ horizon by investing in a sock manufacturing company in the Dominican Republic, thus tripling the companies’ manufacturing capabilities.
Under Josh’s strategic leadership, Hype Socks has vertically integrated into an industry powerhouse. With the launch of Hype Yarn, the company sells sock materials to other factories. Socks Quick, another successful venture, manufactures socks for businesses in the team dealer and promotional product industry. Further, Wintermantel Manufacturing, a part of the Hype Socks enterprise, performs contract manufacturing for other sock companies.
Introducing Luke Griffith, an Ohio State alum, an enthusiastic sports fan, and a crucial part of the Hype Socks’ success story. Proud of his Ohio roots, Luke joined Hype Socks in 2015, starting as an Inside Sales Representative. His love for sports and analytical approach became instrumental in connecting with customers and managing their needs.
In 2020, acknowledging his dedication and talent, Luke was promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing. A year later, he took on the role of President of Sales & Operations. Today, he adeptly steers the day-to-day operations at Hype Socks. Luke’s scope of work is extensive, encompassing sales and marketing performance, employee management, and facilitating communications between our sales force and factories. Luke also manages key accounts for our sock factories, showcasing his effectiveness in the B2B area of the business. His role requires him to work closely with CEO Josh Wintermantel every day, ensuring that their collaborative efforts continue to steer the company towards its strategic objectives.
Luke is more than just an executive; he’s a leader who embodies the spirit of Hype Socks. His unwavering commitment to the company and his passion for sports extend beyond the office. During his off-time, Luke doubles as a Fantasy Football Guru, displaying a knack for picking winning plays each week. He’s also a dedicated supporter of Cleveland sports teams, further exemplifying his sports-driven persona. Through his leadership, Luke continues to drive the growth of Hype Socks, taking immense satisfaction in working with a great customer base. His journey stands as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and hard work.
Here is Howie Chaney, a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the sock industry, and the guiding force behind Hype Socks’ domestic manufacturing operations. As the Plant Manager and Programming Director in Fort Payne, Alabama – once hailed as the Sock Capital of the World – Howie seamlessly blends his industry knowledge and leadership skills to ensure top-notch production standards.
Howie’s role at Hype Socks extends beyond the day-to-day management of the plant. As the Programming Director, he oversees the finalization of all designs and customizations that pass through the manufacturing facility, ensuring every product that leaves the factory meets the highest standards of quality and design.
His expertise in the sock industry doesn’t stop there. He was part of a team assembled by Walmart to investigate an incident involving a sock’s loose thread that led to a child’s toe amputation. This experience not only showcased Howie’s ability to handle complex issues but also demonstrated his unwavering commitment to product safety and consumer well-being.
Beyond his professional life, Howie is an avid sports fan. As an Atlanta Falcon season ticket holder, you can often find him rooting for his team with enthusiasm. During weekends, his loyalty lies with the Crimson Tide, where he passionately supports his favorite team.
Howie’s enduring dedication to his work, combined with his deep industry knowledge and leadership skills, has made him an invaluable asset to the Hype Socks team. His tireless efforts in maintaining high-quality production and his passion for sports make him a true embodiment of the Hype Socks spirit.
Thilip Kumar Venkatamaran is a skilled technician hailing from Malli Pudur, Tamil Nadu, India. He completed his education at Arulmigu Kalasalingam Polytechnic College in Krishnankoil, India. In July of 2009, Thilip began his career as a Junior Technician at Winfro Apperalz in Coimbatore, India.
Thilip is fluent in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, and Tamil, which is his mother tongue. He has gained extensive experience working in countries such as Dubai, Lebanon, Russia, Dominican Republic, and Egypt. Throughout his career, Thilip has had the opportunity to work with well-known brands such as Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Hurley, Copper Fit, Kit Locker, and Saucony.
In November of 2021, Thilip joined the Hype Socks team as Chief Product Officer. In this role, he is responsible for improving the quality of socks and meeting the growing demands of our customers. Thilip brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the textile industry, which has been instrumental in helping us enhance the quality of our products and expand our offerings. Since joining our team, Thilip has been legendary in driving innovation and introducing new technologies to improve our manufacturing processes. He has also been working closely with our design and marketing teams to create new and exciting products that meet the evolving needs and preferences of our customers.
In his free time, Thilip enjoys playing cricket, with Herschelle Gibbs from South Africa being his favorite player. Thilip also enjoys watching golf, wrestling, and baseball. He follows these sports with great interest and enjoys keeping up with the latest news and updates in each of them.
When it comes to music, Thilip is a fan of the renowned Indian composer Ilayaraja. He enjoys listening to Ilayaraja’s music and appreciates the composer’s unique style and contribution to the Indian music industry.
