Dorel Industries Inc. unveiled a new facility in the Metro-Vancouver area for their Apparel Footwear Group Division (AFG) within the company's Recreational/Leisure segment.


The newly renovated 70,000-square-foot complex includes the full spectrum of business from manufacturing to distribution along with the Global Headquarters for design and marketing. The new Burnaby location employs more than 225 people.

Joining other company executives, employees and civic officials, Dorel President and CEO, Martin Schwartz, said an important focus of AFG will be to build the custom apparel business, developing cycling and running gear for teams and clubs.


“This facility will allow AFG to increase its custom apparel capacity and offer highly competitive lead times. We've barely scratched the surface in this expanding market and we expect AFG to triple its custom apparel business within five years,

“Dorel commits to businesses for the long term. Over the past couple of years, we have made several investments as part of our plan to build our bicycle and apparel divisions into a global force.”


Dorel has made a $3 million investment to upgrade the AFG facility. The portfolio of brands that make up the division include SUGOI, Cannondale, GT, Schwinn, Iron Horse and Mongoose.


“The opportunity to significantly upgrade our AFG operations with a new and improved facility is positioning the entire division for global growth,” says Chris Fuentes, President, AFG. “By investing in state-of-the-art technology such as digital printing and high speed precision sublimation, we expect to create an important speed to market advantage.”