Wilmington, N.C.-based Guilford Performance Textiles will team with Red Bank, N.J.-based Concept III Textiles to generate business opportunities with U.S. outdoor and activewear apparel brands. The companies note that Asian supply chains still are important to U.S. brands, but in the light of rising global transportation and manufacturing costs, garment production in the United States is gaining some traction. Guilford and Concept III want to become an "Americas" solution for quality knit fabrics offering Guilford's bread and butter premium smooth surface knits, as well as newly-developed unique knits featuring finishes for performance and appearance enhancements.
"Outdoor and active apparel has become everyday street wear around the globe," said Chris Parkes, partner and director of sales, Concept III Textiles. "Much of the volume is in poly/spandex or nylon/spandex which Guilford offers in a collection of 'top-of-the-line' knits and has done so here in the U.S. for over 65 years."
"This partnership makes great sense," said Devin Warren, director of sales and product development, Guilford Performance Textiles. "Concept III brings with it decades of strong relationships and performance fabric expertise, while Guilford is uniquely positioned to help customers continue their trend of shifting sourcing back to this hemisphere."
