Heys

Overview

Heys International Ltd. is a Canadian multinational manufacturer and distributor of travel products, specializing in luggage, business cases, backpacks, and travel accessories. The company is recognized for its lightweight, fashionable luggage made from polycarbonate composite materials and operates as a global brand with products sold in over 28 countries across six continents. Heys maintains a portfolio of brands including Heys, Travel Concepts, Crown Edition, Intus, Britto by Heys, Disney, Fazzino by Heys, and Raku, positioning itself across multiple market segments from budget-conscious to premium travelers.

History

Founded in 1986 in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, as a small family-run business, Heys grew from a home-based operation into a global travel brand. In 2002, founder Harry Sheikh relocated the company to South Florida to establish Heys USA and accelerate international expansion. The company introduced several notable innovations, including the xCase in 2003 (claimed as the world's lightest hard-side carry-on at the time), the xScale portable luggage scale in 2008, and the EcoCase made from 100% post-industrial recycled plastic, also in 2008. The Crown XX carry-on received recognition as "Best Bag for Traveling Light" by Inc. Magazine in 2010 and a Consumers Digest Best Buy award.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

The company manufactures luggage using polycarbonate composite materials, with products designed in Canada. Specific details regarding in-house versus outsourced manufacturing are not publicly detailed in available sources.

Notable Products

• xCase - Introduced in 2003, claimed to be the world's lightest hard-side carry-on luggage at the time
• Crown XX Carry-On - Named "Best Bag for Traveling Light" by Inc. Magazine in 2010 and recipient of Consumers Digest Best Buy award
• xScale - Portable luggage scale introduced in 2008 for travel convenience
• EcoCase - Luggage made from 100% post-industrial recycled plastic, introduced in 2008
• World's Lightest Carry-On Luggage - Ergonomically-designed carry-on that became a signature product line

Reputation

Heys is recognized as a leader in lightweight luggage design and is synonymous with fashionable, innovative travel products. The brand has received industry recognition including the Travel Goods Association's 2009 Product Innovation Award and multiple consumer accolades. The company is known for balancing design aesthetics with functional innovation, particularly in reducing luggage weight without compromising durability. As a privately-held company with a 40-year heritage, Heys maintains credibility in the travel goods market, though specific criticisms or limitations are not documented in available sources.