The State of Ohio approved an economic incentive package Aug 31. to lure Legend Sportswear (Shanghai) Pty Ltd. first U.S. manufacturing facility to the state.
The Australian company, which manufactures customized, sublimated jerseys and other team, cycling, and outdoor apparel for customers worldwide, is also looking at sites in California and Oregon that would place it closer to major customers.
Specifically, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a tax incentives package for the company's North American subsidiary, Legend Athletic Wear LLC.
“Legend Athletic Wear desires new space in the Cincinnati region to accommodate the company’s first U.S. manufacturing operation and expects significant growth opportunities in the U.S. apparel market,” according to REDI Cincinnati, the economic development organization.
Legend was founded in 2005 by Dr. Tank Kek Looi, a native of Malaysia who moved to Australia in 1979 and entered the team apparel business in 2003. He co-founded Legends in Shanghai with his wife Min “Mandy” Qi in 2005 to pioneer digital sublimation technology, which has been improving rapidly. The technology enables manufacturers to alter designs and colors on the computer, which compresses the pre-press design and sampling process from days to hours. Because they can also print highly vivid images on textiles at high speeds with less water, digital sublimation presses have emerged as a leading method for mass producing personalized clothing, swimsuits, accessories, wallpaper, rugs and other home goods.
Legends currently sells to major athletic brands in the U.K., U.S., Europe and Asia, as well as the corporate event and promotions market. It's clients, according to Bizjournals.com, include Nike and Adidas.
