I live in Memphis, TN and we have a relatively low cost of living. We have the people + space + great distribution options. I’m thinking I could get some grant funding to start this as it would bring jobs here but I need some seasoned people who know how to run a lean manufacturing operation. I also need people who can train cutters & stitchers because this industry hasn’t been in our area in probably 100 yrs.

Also the City of Philadelphia has an unbelievable number of empty factories. I can’t shake the thought that if manufacturing here was once so profitable, it is very possible it could be profitable in the near future.

Just reading this blog has made me feel that my ideas are feasible.

So should you go in-house? Yes, if you’re a brand that has the capital, and are a glutton for the torture of in-house production, go for it. There is a LOT of advantages of producing in-house. You can make 4 garments if you need, and it won’t break your bank. And, flexibility and keeping costs down are an upside. The downside, and here’s where I think that creativity and attention to production details is a needed combo for someone wanting to do in-house, is IF you can’t handle the production details, try to manage it yourself instead of hiring a production manager, and don’t have the cash reserves to take on added payroll. Then that’s the downside. Big time.

What Kathleen said is true, we’re in a shady business, this apparel business. We can’t point fingers overseas, when we demand a certain price point. We can’t demand 100% compliance with all labor laws, etc. and still expect to be competitive AND make 50%+ returns. There’s always a price to pay, so be sure you know what that is, and if you’re willing to pay it before you start an in-house production line.

If it were me, knowing what I know, I still think in-house is worth it. If you want my further opinions (if you’re REALLY thinking about doing it), feel free to call me or check out my website to get a hold of me.

While getting my sample line together I have, of course, made some mistakes (my start-up was my education after all), but most of the trouble has come from contractors not meeting deadlines and not wanting to give me “the in” on sourcing contacts, production techniques, etc. Many times I have daydreamed about having my own factory. In the back of my mind it has always been my goal, and in the future if everything worked out – the factory could expand to produce other lines.

I like the idea of everything being under the same roof and close to home. Talk about eliminating a DE’s waste and making my life a ton easier. At least the problem would be in front of me, and not being explained to me over the phone by a contractor who doesn’t share my workmanship values and style. There has also been a problem with language barriers. I have worked with three contractors in the last year and a half, all of which *sigh* far too often for me. I don’t enjoy my contractors making me feel like they are squeezing in a favor for me. They are not. I pay them to make the product. Enough with the deep sigh’s of frustration. It’s your job.

With that said, is doing my own production even an option for me? I don’t know how to sew, I don’t know anything about the machines/supplies/types of workers I would need. And i live in Brooklyn where space can be scarce. I am asking because in my mind I feel like I could make decent production for myself with only one or two workers and I know that getting to that place would teach me a lot of what i need to learn anyway. What would I need to know to do this, and would it be worth it to me? I sort of cringe at the idea of “since you don’t know how to do it now, it’s too late to learn, and bringing in someone else to teach your workers is silly”. That is a quote from the back of my brain, no one has actually told me this. Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. I am stuck in the mud with regards to production.