Spotted this on a Facebook group I'm on - a letter sent to a luthier who uses Hiscox cases so take it with a pinch of salt since there isn't any other evidence yet.
If true, another tough loss to the British music industry.
(Also, apologies for the low res image)
It reads as follows
HISCOX CASES TO CLOSE AFTER 40 YEARS
20th May 2025
Dear Valued Customer,
The landscape for manufacturing at our level here in the U.K. has become ever increasingly problematic since the Covid pandemic.
We have faced severe challenging issues with every aspect of the process from raw materials to shop floor staff availability to massively rising costs of production.
The compound issues are now so great we have regrettably reached the conclusion that it is no longer possible for us to remain a viable manufacturing business here in the U.K.
It is with huge sadness that I confirm that Hiscox cases will therefore cease production within the next 3 months
This tremendously difficult decision has not been made lightly and we fully intend to honour all existing orders you may have with us.
Although we will continue trading in the short term, we wish to manage the situation in a logical and controlled manner in order that all of our long standing partners are paid, as we all wish we would be under these circumstances.
IMPORTANT
70% of our business is supplying instrument makers where the case we supply is custom built maybe with an embodied logo. If you are one of those many customers, and have current orders with us, then please contact us to confirm you wish to proceed with the order.
I am extremely sorry, but, as I hope you understand, we will no longer be able to extend credit terms from today as we will require all orders to be paid in full before shipping.
We have decided to continue trading for another few months specifically to give our hundreds of loyal guitar making customers time to find an alternative case supplier.
As a luthier, all those years ago, I made my first guitar case specifically for my own use for my own guitars. I never planned or even imagined that demand for my design would be so great that we have made more than 700,000 cases in the last 40 years.
I suppose all good things eventually come to an end.
There is nothing more that I can say other than thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your business over the last 40 years.
This is an extremely sad day here at Hiscox Cases
Warmest regards to you all and best of fortune for your futures,
Brynn Hiscox