Heavy-duty work gloves require a thicker
gauge while the protective covers that slip
over a line man’s 20,000-volt rubber gloves
call for a thinner leather to allow for
greater dexterity. “Each hide is different
and we know how to read it in order to
position the variety of required cuts,” says
Lauren Bomalaski. She places a metal
die, akin to a heavy-duty cookie cutter
shaped like a part of the glove, on the
surface of the leather, punches a button,
and the powerful clicker press stamps the
die through the material to produce the
desired cut. “Our goal is to use as much of
the hide as possible and generate minimal
waste, while working around slight imper-
fections or variances in the skin.”
Stacks of the die-cut pieces are carried
upstairs to the sewing room floor and
re-inspected in the natural light to make
sure no imperfections in the grain were
missed and that the stretch is correct.
Each piece is arrayed from dark to light to
match similar color tones. Then comes as-
sembling. A sewer secures the palm piece
to the thumb piece and the gun finger, the
back of the hand to the palm piece to the
thumb piece and the gun finger, the back
of the hand to the palm, and the cuff ties
the glove all together. Closing, when the
glove takes on its familiar shape, unites the
two halves, front and back. Experienced
sewers know how to handle the gathering
points to create a three dimensional space
and to ensure a comfortable, smooth fit.
“We sew our seams on the outside for
better durability and comfort,” Sam says.
“The seams meld into the glove once they
break in and add reinforcement.” Trim-
ming requires carefully snipping away
excess bits of leather and thread. Finally
each glove is placed over a stainless steel
form in the shape of a hand, and steam is
forced through the glove. This step softens
the seams and helps the glove to take
shape. According to Sam, the steaming
step is crucial. “This is where we can catch
any break in the grain or a dropped stitch.
It tests the durability of the glove. If a glove
can’t hold up on the steamer, it certainly
won’t hold on a line worker.” Pairing is the
final step, matching up right and left hands
for size and color tone.
“Up until the 1970s, about 40 percent of
the workforce used to be in textiles,” Sam
explains. “Now it’s less than half a percent
as we’ve outsourced everything. However,
76 VERMONT MAGAZINE
there’s a resurgence in American textile
manufacturing but typically in products
that can be automated, such as boots, bags,
wallets, clothing, and dry goods. A mere 3
percent of what we wear in America is
actually made here. These gloves aren’t
cheap in any way. This is a premium
product and we charge a price that reflects
the value.”
Sam knows that if he outsourced the man-
ufacturing, he would lose control of quality
assurance. He is barraged by emails from
overseas manufacturing companies eager
to produce his gloves. He resolutely turns
down each offer. “I want to impact people’s
lives, create jobs here, and contribute to
Randolph’s economy.”
Environmental Steward
Vermont Glove moved to the former
Whiting Milk Plant in 1960, alongside
the railroad tracks just a mile from town.
Natural light streaming through the
windows on both sides of the sewing room
creates a bright atmosphere that allows
the employees to see their work. Sam is a
dyed-in-the-wool environmentalist who
takes his company’s carbon footprint
seriously. “Environmental responsibility is
hugely important to me. When I took over
the company in 2018, we were burning 28
tons of coal annually. As of 2019, we now
use 100-percent renewable energy to heat
the building.” Sam followed his conscience
and invested in a biomass pellet boiler,
installed solar panels on the roof, and in-
sulated and air-sealed the entire structure.
“People told me I shouldn’t buy a boiler
because it doesn’t make more gloves or sell
more gloves. Those were huge expenses
so I applied for state and federal grants
to help offset the costs. We received a
U.S.D.A. REAP [Rural Energy for America
Program] grant. We were a high-impact
application for our commitment to switch-
ing from coal to pellets. We partnered with
Efficiency Vermont and Renewable Energy
Resource Center to incentivize the boiler
and insulation. As for the solar, we use half
of the energy and the rest goes back into
the grid.” Sam and a friend spent every
weekend from September through early
winter doing the carpentry and air-sealing
the building. “I’m so proud of what we’ve
done here. It definitely helped the working
atmosphere on the floor, keeping the place
warmer in winter and cooler in summer.”
Respecting Tradition with an Eye
to the Future
Heidi Haupt, 40, is the fourth-generation
shareholder. She began at the factory
when she was 19. “I spent a few years in
the sewing and cutting process and then
left to start my family. I came back in
2007 and have been here ever since. I’ve
learned all the parts of the process over the
years. I don’t enjoy sitting in one spot; I
prefer hopping from station to station.” As
operations manager, Heidi sets up peo-
ple’s schedules and lays out their tasks for
the day. She also oversees quality assur-
ance. “Dad used to be the final inspector,
and now Sam and I handle that.” Heidi
is pleased that Sam has taken over the
business as owner and president. “It’s been
great to see the place take on new energy.
Sam brings a new perspective and has
some good ideas for growing the business.
Having worked with my father and my
grandfather, I had some anxiety at first.
But it’s been a smooth transition and we
work well together.”
Sam concurs. “We’re like brother and
sister, except we never fight! We jibe really
well and respect each other’s opinion.”
Sam, as owner and president, handles sales
and marketing, finances, supply chain
management, and business development.
“I can hop on a sewing machine if I want
to change things up, or tackle a building
project. I also brainstorm prototypes with
Heidi. We have a lot of fun trying out new
ideas for future products, and she’s great at
executing the ideas we generate.”
Sam Hooper sees significant growth
potential for Vermont Glove. “We want to
use our business as a platform for social
good, and ultimately become a Certified
B Corporation. We hope to create sustain-
able workforce development and mean-
ingful jobs through sewing applications
here in Randolph. We’re looking at various
partnerships with vocational programs and
trade schools to bring textile manufactur-
ing back.”
With products named the Farmer, the Ver-
monter, and the Chopper’s Mitt, alongside
those life-saving line worker gloves, there’s
no question this company will remain true
to its Vermont heritage.
Vermont Glove
802-728-9160
vermontglove.com