Quality since 1947

Factory Apparel Direct had it beginning when a family-owned mill was founded in 1947 in a small town of South Carolina. Initially producing terry cloth bathrobes, it evolved into a manufacturer of high quality apparel with outstanding customer service at a fair price. It also became a great place to work for several generations of local residents.

The mill included as its customers the likes of JCPenney, Sears and Lands End, high-end international hotels and spas as well as numerous wholesalers.

Stiff Competition from Off-Shore

By the mid-1990's, off-shore importers began to aggressively cut prices, driving most of the U.S. cut and sew operations out of business. To keep the mill running, a strategy was implemented to partner with high quality manufacturers in Pakistan, Turkey, Mexico and ultimately China. By supplementing local production with imported goods, customers could be served with more competitive prices, quality and exceptional service. This strategy was successful until the 2004-2006 period, when major retail customers began going directly to mill's offshore partners and further reducing the prices they were willing to pay the mill to unacceptable levels.

Direct-from-the-mill via the Internet

In the Fall of 2005, to try to offset losses from sales to major retailers, the mill began to offer its own line of high-quality, competitively-priced family apparel for sale on the internet. Designed exclusively for direct-to-the-consumer sales, the fleece jackets, pajamas and robes became especially popular. Also, additional products were introduced for sale on the website on a regular basis, expanding product offerings.

The internet business grew at a steady pace, but it was not sufficient to offset losses from the company's primary business with retailers. Consequently, in early 2007, the difficult decision was made to close down after nearly 60 years of operation.

Keeping a Good Idea going

Because the website continued to prosper, it was purchased by former associates who had a combined 30 years experience in the apparel business and who wanted to continue the good idea of offering quality and value to individual consumers direct-from-the-mill.

Because of direct sales to you from some remaining U.S. apparel manufacturers and other global apparel manufacturing partners, we are able to provide product quality and performance equivalent to that of upscale major retailers and catalogs, while passing on substantial savings to you, which is the basis of our website name, Factory Apparel Direct.com.

Factory Apparel Direct continues the Tradition

We are still privately owned. We continue to believe in the importance of craftsmanship, products and services provided for our customers. We take pride in every garment that we offer to our customers. We value the traditions and values that were the foundation of the original mill and sustained it for 60 years. In the new age of the internet and global enterprise, we are committed to hold to these values and traditions as we continue to serve our customers.

We put our customers first. We have adapted to global economic realities by cultivating numerous domestic apparel manufacturing and off-shore apparel manufacturing sourcing partners who, with our experience and guidance, will continue to demonstrate their ability to deliver products and services that conform to the high standards we have set for ourselves.