SRTX
SRTX is a material science company founded in 2017 by Katherine Homuth, a Canadian serial entrepreneur who was frustrated with traditional hosiery’s lack of durability. Why do we have bullet-proof jackets but most tights rip after only a few wears? Producing tights that can last through multiple Canadian winters was a challenge Katherine was determined to take on.
In 2019 SRTX took over a former hosiery factory in Montreal, and the team got to work adapting the old knitting machinery to automate workflows and improve the quality of the knit using a novel material. They tested multiple blends of yarn, often literally shattering machinery along the way due to the strength of the yarn used. Soon, they discovered the optimal blend of a super strong polymer, nylon and spandex. As a result, SRTX tights last significantly longer than traditional tights made from only nylon and spandex blends yet feel buttery soft and silky smooth.
Why invest in SRTX?
It is estimated that around 2 billion pairs of tights are disposed every year. Tights have been a staple part of many wardrobes around the world since the 1960s, and yet it is a product that still causes much frustration due to the fact that they can rip so quickly. For the first five years in operation, SRTX made and sold tights under their own direct-to-consumer brand Sheertex, and quickly became the fastest growing tights brand in North America.
Strategic fit
We invested in SRTX due to the combination of a strong belief in the founder, Katherine Homuth, and her team, their pioneering product and the potential for growth we see going forward. Their bold mission to bring such a durable and high-quality product to mass market aligns with our mission at H&M Group to make fashion accessible and to lead the change in scaling innovation.
Going forward
Our partnership with SRTX continues to strengthen and we are proud that multiple H&M Group brands now produce tights powered by SRTX. As SRTX brings new materials to market, we look forward to incorporating these into our assortment to improve our customer offering.
