WAKE FOREST, N.C. — SEAMS and the Reshoring Initiative® launched the First Annual Sewn Products National Reshoring Award competition in August 2018. Awards were announced for 2018 and 2019 and then our country was refocused on the Pandemic in 2020.
On September 17, 2021, SEAMS with strategic partner, the Reshoring Initiative, had the honor of announcing the winners for 2021 in the Brands & Vertical Retailers and Cut & Sew Manufacturers categories
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 celebrate our winners at our annual Fall Conference with their peers and colleagues in attendance after a very difficult year in 2020,” stated Will Duncan, executive director, SEAMS. “our membership not only continues to grow but grows stronger. These winners represent all of our members focused on the Made in America Movement with SEAMS.”
Venus Group was presented with the Cut & Sew Manufacturers Award. Venus Group is a manufacturer and supplier of table linens, including napkins and tabletops. Prior to 2015, Venus Group manufactured approximately 864,000 per month in Mexico and the Dominican Republic and today manufactures 1,000,000 per month in Fort Lawn, S.C., replacing all offshore work and creating 42 jobs in the United States.
Soft-Tex International was presented with the esteemed Brand Award for its fiber and hybrid pillows, memory foam pillows, and mattress topper products. Soft-Tex went through a large reshoring initiative in 2020 and 2021 moving from China to the United States. This represented a gross merchandise value of $100 million annually back to the United States, while creating approximately 100 jobs in its U.S.-based facilities with plans to expand to 150 jobs. Soft-Tex doubled capacity in its Waterford, N.Y., facility and plans to double capacity in their Sugar Land, Texas, facility as they complete this strategic initiative.
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 at the fall conference. “I am excited to deliver to these progressive companies the Sewn Products Reshoring Awards at the SEAMS Fall Conference. These companies are 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 & Circularity, Global Sourcing and Reshoring benefits for business in the United States.
Companies in the sewn products industry are encouraged to compete for the 2022 Award.
Posted September 21, 2021
Source: SEAMS
