Boxercraft hosted former President Bill Clinton at its Haitian manufacturing facility this week, where it plans to manufacture 40 percent of the tops and bottoms it now sells via wholesalers to college bookstores and resorts.
Boxercraft designs, manufactures and distributes flannel pajamas, sweatshirts and other casual, imprintable and licensed apparel., The Atlanta-based company claims to be “America’s #1 Spiritwear source for team and fashion apparel sold to colleges, universities and teams.” Boxercraft already makes 80 percent of its tops at its Industrial Revolution II factory in Port au Prince.
“This was an easy business decision and the right thing to do,” Boxercraft CEO Shelley Foland said of the companies investment in Haiti. “Consumers are paying attention to where their garments are being made and the conditions of the factories, regardless of their location. In fact, they are, more often than not, considering this factor when they make their purchase decision.”
Founded by Rob Broggi, a former analyst at Boston-based Raptor Capital, and backed by designer Donna Karan, actor Matt Damon, and Joey Adler, CEO of Diesel Canada, IRII started production at its 35,000-square-foot facility in Port-au-Prince last September. Through its unique “shared value” business model, IRII invests 50 percent of its profits into their workers, their families and the local community through health and wellness programs, training and education initiatives.
Boxercraft said its sales increased last year thanks to growing demand from students, athletes and teams, who are in some instances pressuring their universities to require apparel licensees comply with fair labor practices. The company recently launched b*sport by Boxercraft, a “practice wear line that delivers active wear in a perfect balance between fitness and style.” This spring, Boxercraft added more styles and colorways, resulting in its largest line offering in the history of the company in both adult and youth sizes.
