About Page

Working
Together in
Seattle

All 55 of us here at TOM BIHN — design, manufacturing, shipping, customer service, photography, web team — work in the same 16,000 square foot location. We collaborate, problem-solve and innovate in ways that are only made possible by sharing the same space. We think this results in a better bag for you, and it’s more fun for us too.

We took half a day off from our usual work to become CPR/First Aid Certified.

The TOM BIHN Crew holding up their CPR certification cards

We took half a day off from our usual work to become CPR/First Aid Certified.

How We Began

When Tom was 10 years old, he asked his parents for help in getting the equipment he wanted for hiking and camping. They suggested two options: get an after-school job and earn money to buy it, or "just figure out how to make it yourself." Tom chose the second option. His grandmother had an old Singer home sewing machine which his brother Dan helped get running; Tom's mom taught him how to sew and his dad provided the foundations of the necessary engineering.

And the rest is history: Tom has spent the last 40 years designing and making backpacks, travel bags, and briefcases.

Tom sewing in his garage workshop, circa 1983.

Tom Bihn sewing in his workshop

Tom sewing in his garage workshop, circa 1983.

You

You're as much part of this as we are. I mean, think about it: the fact that you buy our bags allows us to exist as a company. And that you use our bags and provide constructive feedback on how they either work or don’t work for you helps us to build a better bag. We literally couldn't be doing what we do without you. Thank you.

Guy walking with a baby and a TOM BIHN bag

Our Own Way

Here's a few things to know about us and how we work:

Our company is big enough that we can do cool things like develop our own fabrics while small enough that it still feels like we’re one big family. Our capacity is limited and we don't have plans to significantly increase it. That means that you can expect many of our bags to be In-Stock while other bags are In Production. Read more about that here.

Our creativity is what drives us — and we make space for it. Doing stuff like working on new designs, developing new materials, improving existing internal procedures, programming our own software, updating the website, taking new photos — we do it ourselves because A) we’re kinda control freaks and B) we love our work.

We think experience counts. Tom has spent over four decades designing and making bags. In his early days, he often repaired bags made by other manufacturers. That’s a whole lotta learning over many years about what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to bag design and fabrication. We use that experience to make a bag that will better serve you.

Our Philosophy

Back in 2013, we wrote down some aspects of our company philosophy and made it into a book. Some of the people we work with asked us to make a public version and in 2016, we did.

Here's an excerpt:

"Coworkers, boss, manager, customer, delivery person and anyone else you deal with during your work day: imagine yourself in one of their positions and try to see things from their perspective. Gain some understanding of what it looks like on the other side of things. And, hey, don’t just imagine it: if you wonder something, ask. Being curious is a wonderful thing to be: it frees you from the burden of thinking you know everything! Ask Bob our UPS driver: “How’s the holiday season busyness going so far for you?” or, ask him if it works better for him if we stack boxes “this way” versus “that way.” Most folks will be pleasantly surprised by how you're paying attention."

Read more: Our Company Philosophy

The Crew

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Irma

Fabric Cutting Manager

Irma likes to take vacations. Her favorite song is Despacito by Luis Fonsi.

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Kat

Customer Service + Shipping Professional

Kat loves cats, musicals, zombies and most nerdy pursuits of happiness.

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Tam

Binding/Bartack Professional + Machine Mechanic

Tam loves to watch soccer, travel, and listen to a wide variety of music.

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Esther

Sewing/Label Placement/Plant Care Professional

Esther is an avid reader. Her favorite book is Shogun: The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu by A.L. Sadler.

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Mike

Operations Manager

Mike loves to cook and play outside as much as possible.

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Hong

Shoulder Strap Specialist

Hong enjoys spending time with with her children and shares: "I recently bought a house - it's my American dream!"

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You

Yeah, you! You're part of our crew, too.

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Levi

Branch Manager

Favorite toy? Sticks he finds on the ground.

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Kim

Director of Administration

Kim believes in karma and random acts of kindness.

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Matt

Shipping Lead

Matt moved back to Seattle after 5 years in Southern California. Matt is cold all of the time.

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Zhi Fang

Joining Professional

Enjoys spending her free time relaxing and watching Chinese soap operas. 

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Fong

Production Manager

Fong's philosophy: experience gratitude for happiness and health and don't take it for granted.

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Thu

Joining Professional

Loves the natural beauty of sunsets and listening to romantic Vietnamese Bolero music.

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Buu

Shipping Department + Findings Professional

"I enjoy napping/sleeping, feeling refreshed after a good night sleep.  My goal is to retire early."

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YanFang

Single Needle + Bartrack Professional

"I love to watch Chinese soap opera and I also enjoy outdoor aerobics and dancing."

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Miao

Joining Professional

"I love to cook! My favorite food are Dim Sum dishes like ShuMai."

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Kim

Joining Professional

"I love listening to Vietnamese country music. Sewing clothes for my family is one of my hobbies."

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Muoi

Double Needle Professional

"l like to travel, and my favorite destinations are California, Vietnam and Malaysia. My second love is cooking Vietnamese noodle soup."

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Vien

Bartack + Sewing Professional

Vien shares: "I work very hard to ensure I have the ability to make my annual trip back to my home countries of Vietnam and Cambodia to visit relatives and friends."

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Nhung

Joining Professional

Has a passion for chocolate and American culture - Nhung says: "I am so happy to be in America!"

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Thao

Sewing Professional

Favorite flower to grow: orchids. Likes to visit Vietnam and spend time with family.

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Thuy

Joining Professional

Likes to spend time with friends and being there for them in times of need. Enjoys cooking and sewing her own clothes.

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Ying

Assembly & Quality Control Professional

Loves to go on road trips to explore and discover new views of mountains and interesting natural landscapes. 

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AiQing

Single Needle Professional

Love to play Mahjong with her friends and family. Also enjoy occasional travel.