Unspun, a San Francisco, CA-based start-up led by former North Face and Boardriders executive Arne Arens, announced that Walmart, REI and other major supply chain partners signed letters of support to build domestic manufacturing capacity in the U.S. using Unspun’s AI-enabled 3D weaving technology. The technology is designed to bring apparel manufacturing closer to consumers at a commercial scale.
Supply chain partners Bethel Industries, Peckham and PDS Ltd. / GSC Link are also participating to help establish automated domestic production hubs, with initial production on the near-term horizon.
“We are not exploring whether domestic apparel manufacturing can work. We are building it,” said Arens, CEO of Unspun. “Our clients are looking for a new production model because they see the economics: manufacturing closer to the customer, responding to demand within the same season, and creating skilled American jobs in the process.”
Unspun, a U.S.-founded and B Corp-certified tech company, has reportedly developed a low-waste production solution for the apparel industry that enables local manufacturing and reduces supply chain length. Its proprietary 3D weaving technology, Vega, is said to “transform yarn into garments within minutes,” according to a company media release.
The shorter production time promises to “improve gross margins while the plants support the creation of skilled manufacturing jobs in the U.S.”
Avisnash Bhasker, vice president of Apparel Production Development at Walmart, said, “Our customers are proud to buy apparel made in America, and the demand keeps growing. We are excited about unspun’s commitment and effort in helping rebuild domestic manufacturing capability that is faster, smarter, and designed for how customers actually shop.”
Unspun is evaluating potential locations, infrastructure requirements and workforce training programs as it moves toward establishing the first automated apparel manufacturing hubs in the U.S. powered by 3D weaving technology.
Image courtesy Unspun
