Fall 2019 - Inside Outdoor Magazine

Inside Outdoor | FALL 2019 29 Kitsbow, a premium cycling clothing and accessories brand, has expanded its commitment to U.S. manufacturing by relocating to a new facility near Asheville, N.C., that will open before the end of 2019. The company plans to earn 95 percent of its revenue from prod- ucts made onshore by 2021. The new factory will be a reno- vation of the building that hosted the Parker Hosiery Co. operation for many years, essentially a re-birth of apparel manufacturing in Old Fort. Located at the foot of the famous Kitsuma trail and at the base of Mt. Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Rockies, the new factory will pro- vide an unmatched work-play envi- ronment, said the company. “We considered 11 different possibilities in the Eastern U.S. with a track record of textile and apparel manufacturing, and it be- came obvious that Western North Carolina had the perfect blend of talent, daily shipping access, and a spectacular quality of life for our team members,” said David Billstrom, CEO of Kitsbow. “I have seen first-hand the resilience and work ethic of the workforce in Ap- palachia, and that was a major factor in the decision to choose Old Fort in McDowell County for our new lean manufacturing facility.” Kitsbow’s philosophy embraces the “lean manufacturing” model, where product is made just before it is purchased, rather than pur- chased in bulk nine to 12 months in advance in Asia. As the manufac- turing processes are streamlined, Kitsbow will be able to be even more nimble and better able to respond to fluctuations in demand, resulting in fewer delays and bet- ter lead times, said Billstrom. “We believe we can make a measurable reduction in product waste, and thus reduce our harm to the planet, with lean manufacturing,” he said. “We have always wanted to deliver exactly what the customer wants, right when they want it, something the industry’s bulk manu- facturing model does very poorly,” explained Zander Nosler, Kitsbow’s founder. “Adopting lean principles not only makes us more efficient while reducing our waste, but we’ll also have the flexibility to focus on what makes our products great, in a place that’s known for its epic trails just out the front door.” Kitsbow has received more than $400,000 in combined eco- nomic incentives from the state of North Carolina and McDowell County, which are tied to proven job creation and capital investment in the new facility. Kitsbow to Double U.S. Manufacturing Diamond Brand Reviving Industrial Sewing in North Carolina Asheville-based manufacturer Diamond Brand Gear is part of the launch of an industrial sewing program for Western North Caro- lina (WNC) sewing manufacturers. The program is part of the brand’s efforts to revive the art of sewing that used to permeate the area, said DBG. The course is a result of a collaboration between more than 20 WNC manufacturers, funding from the Carolina Textile District and the support of Blue Ridge Community College and AB-Technical Community College. Lauren Rash, chief operating officer of Diamond Brand Gear and the catalyst for the program, said the collaboration was key to making the program a success. Courses will follow a curriculum developed by the Maker’s Coalition and In- dustrial Sewing and Innovation Center. Free for all incumbent workers, the cours- es will equip them for a career in sewing post-graduation. Students will learn sewing terms; fabric structures and types; how to read tech packs; and basic sewing skills and techniques for industrial straight stitch, coverstitch and overlock machines. “As a region, we’ve lost many of our sewing skills, and we feel it is important to bring the craft back to the area where so many cut-and-sew businesses are setting up shop,” stated Rash. “Diamond Brand Gear recognized the need for workforce development and approached it in a collaborative effort to help the sewing community at large.” The first course will be taught Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. from October 1 to December 19 at Blue Ridge Community Col- lege. The second course will be offered in the spring at AB Tech. While the first course will be offered only to employed individuals and incumbent workers, the second course will be open to both incumbent workers and, for a nominal fee, non-employed individuals. Both courses will be offered in both English and Spanish, and all materials and tools will be provided. Anyone interested in a career in sewing is welcome to reach out to Diamond Brand Gear or any of their Carolina Textile District partners. m