US Manufacturing Coming Back Home!
US Manufacturing Coming Back Home! He’s a suitmaker. And his suits are worn by corporate leaders, ambassadors, even presidents. How do you get to that level?
Many thanks to John Martynec, the CEO of Southwick in Haverhill, MA, on the North Shore. A creative visionary and even more impressive, how many of the employees’ names of his large workforce he knows without even hesitating. Learn more about John’s story, whom he’s selling to across the world and why his company is well positioned for success. All on the next edition of the Language of Business!
John Martynec is the President of Southwick in Lawrence, MA. Since 1929, Southwick suits have been worn by presidents, ambassadors, corporate leaders and other men of distinction who choose Southwick to enhance their own style, not replace it. Southwick’s business philosophy has been firmly grounded in the singular vision of its founders – a love of quality and craftsmanship. Southwick is synonymous with authentic American style, natural shoulder comfort, quality, and fine fabrics. Click here for his company’s web site.
American products and American jobs. Manufacturing is coming back home to the US. Our next episode bridges the gap between the past, present and future through fashion and wearable accessories with in-studio guests and on location shoots. Made Local, Bought Local, on the next Language of Business.
-
- Plaque from original factory location in 1929.
-
- Weather advisories in one of 15 different languages spoken at Southwick.
-
- Pictorial history of the current factory.
-
- Beginning of the line: cutting station.
-
- This station is for made-to-order suits.
-
- All labor from US workers with an increasing amount of US and European made fabrics.
-
- Hand placement to ensure the fabric lines are perfectly straight.
-
- Materials tracked by hand and by computer.
-
- Most machinery from Italy, Germany and Japan.
-
- Some employees have worked at this factory for over 40 years!
-
- Outside suit pockets sewn in by hand on the inside…
-
- … with this result on the outside!
-
- Working on the “torso” section of the suit jacket.
-
- Completed torso sections.
-
- About to connect the sleeves.
-
- Hand sewing at the end to ensure the highest quality!
-
- The finished product, along with the pants!
-
- Brooks Brothers’ hangers.
-
- RFID tags for inventory control.
-
- Brooks Brothers is one label Southwick manufactures for…
-
- Southwick’s own brand.
-
- Private label in Japan.
-
- Private label in the US.
-
- 日本まで行こう！Made to order suit about to be exported to Japan.
-
- Military contracts, too.
-
- Southwick CEO John Martynec.
Later in 2015… decoding the alphabet of financing options… VC vs. PE vs. Hedge… the February episode of the Language of Business.
