Defying the Trend, D.W. Uniforms finds Success in USA Manufacturing

Is anything made in the United States anymore?

In the uniform and apparel industries, the answer is yes, but the number of goods manufactured here has been steadily shrinking for years. Devastated by competition, -- particularly from China -- the manufacturing side of the apparel business now employs about 250,000 people. A decade earlier, the figure hovered at around 750,000.

Grim figures, for certain, but the fact that these industries still employ a quarter of a million Americans says that it’s still possible to make something here, as many veteran uniform business owners know. While most rely on global sourcing to fulfill their order requirements, many still do manufacture at least a small portion of their products here.

But can an upstart company, new to the business of uniforms, flourish in an age of globalization by manufacturing its entire product line in the United States?

D.W. Uniform Creations thinks it can, and by defying the trend, it is out to prove that doing it yourself and fair labor practices make good business sense.

D.W. Uniforms i s a growing garment and textile manufacturer located in Pompano Beach, Florida, that designs quality garments for the hospitality, entertainment and retail markets. Barely a year old, the company is a vision that actually grew out of the inconceivable combination of one man’s event production company and another man’s uniform assembly factory. It came to exist through their determination to create a diverse company that could satisfy an ever-growing need for custom clothing and fabric-related items in South Florida. “I had moved to Florida from New York, and decided to start a special events business,” explains Peter Franks, president and co-founder. “At first, I focused on supplying DJ’s to area clubs and events, but gradually, the company started fulfilling other needs, such as specialized hats, shirts and other attire. It eventually became a full service production company.”

At the same time, Franks’s friend, Ari Fondeur, was closing his long established uniform factory, a victim of the times. “I knew he was looking for another business opportunity, so I asked him if he had the strength to do another startup,” says Franks. “We combined his knowledge of fabric and uniforms with my event planning skills and formed the company.”

D.W. Uniform Creations is actually one of four divisions which make up Decadent Wolf, Inc. “A friend coined the name“ Franks advised. D.W. Custom furnishes window treatments, linens and home textiles to hotels, restaurants and other hospitality outlets. D.W. Productions supplies apparel and accents needed at special events; and the soon-to-be-activated D.W. Brands will work to develop the company’s own distinct image.

This diversity is key to the company’s overall business model “You need multiple streams of revenue to survive nowadays,” notes Franks.

You also need a unique client base. “We’ve developed a niche by concentrating on smaller companies, the boutique hotels, the B&B’s, day spas and stand-alone, fine dining establishments,” says Franks. “The big guys don’t want to service these types of businesses because there’s not enough quantity involved. But we‘re more concerned with quality. We‘re not in the business of telling customers what they need. We give them what they want, and our goal is to make them happy.“

What their customers want these days is fashionable, hip clothing that is heavily influenced by pop culture. “Fashion is very important today, particularly within our niche,” says Franks. “We produce uniforms that enhance the dining experience, that help the customer look his very best.”

While clearly focused on direct sales, DW Uniforms i s also a contract manufacturer for the uniform industry. They assist large uniform companies in fulfilling their client orders to exact specifications with an emphasis on quality control and timely delivery.

And they do this all from the shores of South Florida. “Something still has to be made here,” quips Franks. “If the relationship we have with some of these foreign companies deteriorates, then what?”

Undeniably small by industry standards, the company’s 3200 square ft. factory houses one cutting table and a mere 24 sewing machines. “We’re small, but we’re growing,” insists Franks.

They make up for the lack of space by home sourcing many of their orders. The company currently employs 15 home workers, up from 3 just a year ago. “South Florida has a large elderly and Hispanic population, and many of these know how to sew,” notes Franks. “We put up flyers in Spanish and English all over town when we need help, and the response is always overwhelming. Working and earning money from home is a new concept for some of these people, and their enthusiasm shows through in the quality of their work.”

These employees, of course, must be able to legally work in the country. “We value our employees diversity and ideas, pay them a fair wage, and have no interest in creating a sweatshop environment for our workers or customers.”

Can a company grow using this business model? Franks believes so. “I look at Miami Beach and say to myself, ‘Look how much money I can make here.’ Most of our business is currently in this area, but I haven’t yet come close to exhausting the business potential,” he says.

And he has advice for other small manufacturers thinking of pursuing this path. “I started a uniform business knowing very little about the product, but learned quickly and found a huge customer base. Hang in there, and don’t get discouraged. It can be done, even with the hurdles facing the industry nowadays.”

For more information, visit www.dwuniforms.com or call (954) 944-1344