HILTL - The trousers since 1955.
For 70 years, HILTL has represented the perfect combination of traditional tailoring and innovative technologies. What began as a small manufactory is now a globally respected name for quality and unsurpassed expertise in men's trousers.
Our philosophy: true perfection is created when tradition and innovation work together in harmony. Through our precision craftsmanship and state-of-the-art production, we create pants that offer the highest standards of style, fit and comfort.
HILTL - quality without compromise.
INNOVATION ● TRADITION ● PERFECTION
Button with a shank
At HILTL, every button is something special. HILTL trousers are finished off with buttons made of urea or corozo. A special machine is used to attach the buttons to the outer material with a long thread shank, and a special red thread is then wound around the shank and heat sealed. A "button with a shank" like this is not only a hallmark of quality from the made-tomeasure trade, but also sits firmly and securely. You can recognise a genuine pair of HILTL trousers by this red button shank. You won't find a spare button in HILTL trousers, because this method of attachment ensures that the buttons stay put. The button shank also creates extra space for the button, making it much easier to open and close the waistband.
Buttonhole
In every pair of HILTL trousers, you'll find a detail that is otherwise usually only seen in hand-tailored trousers: a keyhole buttonhole with a cross-ways bar tack. The keyhole buttonhole ensures that the button sits perfectly in the desired position.
Zip
A detail that is a rarity in other trousers is a standard feature with HILTL: a zip made of metal. Our zips are made especially for HILTL, exclusively from individual elements, and are therefore particularly fine-toothed. This gives you a guarantee that, even after laundering, the zip will still function perfectly.
The zip puller has a stopper function to make sure that the zip can't simply open on its own.
Pocket openings
Perfection in the detail. The front and rear pockets on many of HILTL's trousers are finished off with an ornamental bar tack, the so-called half-moon bar tack, which is a decorative feature but also very time-consuming to produce. The half-moon bar tack strengthens the pocket openings and is a sign of good quality manufacturing. We pay just as much attention to detail to the inside of our trouser pockets as we do on the outside, so that they even look good from the inside.
THE HILTL PRINCIPLE
"WE NEVER WANTED TO SELL THE MOST TROUSERS, BUT RATHER THE BEST."
- FRITZ HILTL (1917 - 1994)
HILTL PHOTOBOOK
For 70 years HILTL has been standing for the perfect combination of traditional tailoring and innovative technologies.
Our philosophy: true perfection is created when tradition and innovation blend in harmony...
HISTORY & FUTURE
Without any capital, but with a lot of expertise, heart, courage and passion, master tailor Fritz Hiltl founded his trouser company in Sulzbach-Rosenberg in 1955 – together with his wife Hedwig and with the active support of his brother Erhard and six apprentices. His goal: to offer trousers made to measure. At that time, only 20 pairs of trousers per day were produced.
FOUNDATION OF THE TROUSER COMPANY
Fritz Hiltl presented his first collection at Cologne Men's Fashion Week – and impressed the trade professionals with the outstanding quality of his trousers. HILTL trousers soon established themselves on the market, being considered the epitome of high quality.
Exhibition of the first trousers collection
In order to meet the constantly growing demand, Fritz Hiltl decided to build a new factory: On 18 October 1968, he opened the most modern factory building in the region – in Asamstraße in Sulzbach-Rosenberg.
Opening of the manufacturing building
In 1980, HILTL already employed 370 people, who produced 2,000 pairs of trousers every day. They were sold in Germany, Holland, Belgium, England, France, Austria and Switzerland. With the opening of the borders in 1989 and a general economic upswing, the demand for HILTL trousers continued to grow throughout Germany and all across Europe.
International growth
After the death of her husband, Hedwig Hiltl took over the management of the trouser company.
Company manager Hedwig Hiltl
At the start of the new millennium, HILTL successfully entered the American market: "The ultimate pair of trousers was born."
Foray into the American market
We don't want to be the biggest but the best: By consistently following Fritz Hiltl's philosophy, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005. HILTL trousers are now worn all over the world – for business and leisure.
50 years of HILTL
The traditional Bavarian, yet internationally successful company had finally established itself as a premium brand for the quality-conscious, design-loving and trend-savvy man. HILTL celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2015. At that point, over half a million pairs of trousers were being shipped to more than 40 countries around the world every year.
60 years of HILTL
Nord Holding acquired the trouser specialist HILTL. The goal-oriented ideas of the new company management were in line with the value framework and identity of the traditional HILTL brand.
Nord Holding
Since 1955, HILTL has been offering exclusive trouser couture that preserves tradition yet focuses on innovation. So the foray into the online world in 2019 was an inevitable next step. The aim of introducing a webshop was to be present both online and offline – and to harmoniously unite these two previously separate sales worlds.
Launch of the online shop
As if the Corona pandemic wasn’t challenging enough, the majority shareholder Nord Holding unexpectedly withdrew its financing commitments at the end of June. What followed was insolvency in self-administration – and the search for a new owner, which was quickly found in Lorea AG. This resulted in the renaming of Fritz Hiltl Hosenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG to HILTL Hosen-Manufaktur GmbH.
Change of name
In 2021, HILTL set sail for a promising future – with bank-independent financing from the Swiss investment company Lorea AG and a set of comprehensive measures. The focus is now on brand and product development. The original HILTL factory building is renovated and it turns into the new company´s headquarter.
Reorientation with passion and reason
In the Autumn of 2022 HILTL opens the new innovative trouser factory at its original location in Sulzbach-Rosenberg. A unique combination of tradtional tailoring machines and cutting-edge computer software.
Opening of the new HILTL Hosen-Manufaktur
Our pants have been standing for style, excellent workmanship and noticeable comfort
for 70 years already.
70 YEARS HILTL
MISSION & VISION
Our vision is to tailor the best men's trousers in the world.
HILTL is aimed at men who have high standards of quality and individuality, for whom comfort, feel, style and fit are important.
HILTL offers tailoring, authenticity, experience, expertise, stylish details and makes customers feel like they are wearing an honest and high quality product.
