FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The First Sewn Products Reshoring Awards Announced

Industry Leaders Join Forces to Announce First Award for 2019

Wake Forest, North Carolina—SEAMS and the Reshoring Initiative launched the First Annual Sewn Products National Reshoring Award competition in August 2018. On May 9th SEAMS with strategic partner, the Reshoring Initiative, announced the winners for three categories, Brands & Vertical Retailers, Textiles, and Cut & Sew Manufacturing.

The winners represent the progressive companies focused on the Made in America movement supporting our economy and bringing production of goods back to our country. “SEAMS is thrilled to partner on this award and be able to surprise our winners at our annual Spring Conference with their peers and colleagues in attendance” states Will Duncan, Executive Director, SEAMS. Duncan continues, “our membership continues to grow with companies represented by these winners that are focused on the mission of SEAMS with our Made in America Movement.”

Unionwear was presented with the Cut & Sew Manufacturers Award. Unionwear is a leading manufacturer and supplier of made-in-USA hats, bags and binders for dozens of global brands previously sourced in China. Unionwear’s reshoring initiatives included re-engineering and re-designing reshored products, generating over 70 additional jobs in the U.S. and over $4 million in annual revenue.

The Textile Award was presented to Contempora Fabrics, an established manufacturer of all types of circular knits used in the latest fashion, athletic and performance garments trending in the U.S. today. Contempora’s reshoring initiative was driven by Walmart’s commitment to purchase by 2023 an additional $250 billion in products made, sourced, or grown in the U.S. Contempora supplied the fabric used to manufacture employee vests for all Walmart U.S. stores, generating over $13 Million in sales in the U.S. over five years.

The Mara Hoffman Brand was presented with the Brand Award. Mara Hoffman designs and manufactures garments with an environmental impact in mind, using responsibly sourced organic, recycled and regenerated materials whenever possible. In 2015 the company moved textile printing and cut & sew back to the U.S. gaining better transparency in their supply chain and providing jobs for their community in NYC.

Each Award winner was presented with a certificate and received accolades from SEAMS and the Reshoring Initiative in front of hundreds of SEAMS members in attendance. “I am excited to deliver to these three progressive companies the first ever Sewn Products Reshoring Awards at the SEAMS Spring Conference. They are all setting a great example for our industry on what’s possible to make in America again”, stated Harry Moser, President, the Reshoring Initiative. The dynamic agenda for the conference focused on the Made in America movement, Sustainability, Global Sourcing for the Americas and Best Practices for investing in the U.S.

Companies in the sewn products industry are encouraged to compete for the 2020 Award.

The Reshoring Initiative, founded in 2010, helps manufacturers realize that local production, in some cases, reduces their total cost of ownership of purchased products and tooling. The Initiative also trains suppliers how to sell against lower-priced offshore competitors. www.reshorenow.org

SEAMS is the Association and Voice of the U.S. Sewn Products Industry for over 50 years consisting of more than 200 of America’s foremost fashion brands, retailers, manufacturers and textile providers. Supercharging the American Supply Chain, SEAMS is the most relevant force and go-to resource shaping the growth and resurgence of MADE IN AMERICA. www.seams.org

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Contact for Reshoring Award:

May 10, 2019

Harry Moser, The Reshoring Initiative

harry.moser@reshorenow.org