Brooks Garland NC shirt factory
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Sorry to hear that!
For all the folks who made their livelihood there, and the end of a valuable aspect of American life.
Don't know all the reasons, but they may not all be related to the pandemic. As you no doubt know, Claudio is seeking to unload Brooks, and the traditional aspects have been on the slide for a long time. I.e. it may have been in the cards anyway.
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I knew it was for sale. Like you, I'm sorry for all the employees. I guess it was inevitable.
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I had been hearing rumors recently. And the Garland factory has reportedly not been profitable for BB. I think as long as it was not a big loser that this would be a mistake to close it down. A lot of people love the made in USA OCBDs. I read the article as this may not be a done deal.
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I agree. I know nothing about production but wonder if they could contract to have these still made in the US (as J Press and others do - Press has used Garland at times but also other factories)? Does Brooks produce too many of these to have it done in a factory not scaled just for them? I imagine they could lower the sticker price, stop the big discounts and still do fine. They ask $140 but in reality are always available for $100, often ~$85 and sometimes as low as $60 or less with the combination of deals.
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The Garland factory has been producing all of the made in USA Brooks Brothers shirts, as well as shirts for many third party labels including J. Press.
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Garland manufactures mostly RTW shirts. They manufacture all of the made in USA MTM shirts.
Non-Iron MTM and Non-Iron RTW is manufactured in Malaysia
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The ironic thing is that “made in USA” is trending at the same moment that clothing sales flatlined.
Hopefully, some company will see the value in the Garland workforce and resume business soon.
Cheers,
BSR
Hopefully, some company will see the value in the Garland workforce and resume business soon.
Cheers,
BSR
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777 Posts
Definitely won't be the last we lose to the pandemic 
My common work attire pre-corona -- chinos, light-weight ocbd, sport coat.
My work attire now, unless I have a "court" appearance (e.g., video conference) -- sweatpants, t-shirt.
My common work attire pre-corona -- chinos, light-weight ocbd, sport coat.
My work attire now, unless I have a "court" appearance (e.g., video conference) -- sweatpants, t-shirt.
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37,122 Posts
^^
Given China's questionable and purposely secretive actions at the inception of the present pandemic, I think I would choose to become a nudist before buying any shirts or chinos made in China. Jeez Louise, I hope some good Samaritan comes along and reopens the Garland plant...and you should be praying for the same, as you really don't want to see me without clothes to soften the image! LOL.
Given China's questionable and purposely secretive actions at the inception of the present pandemic, I think I would choose to become a nudist before buying any shirts or chinos made in China. Jeez Louise, I hope some good Samaritan comes along and reopens the Garland plant...and you should be praying for the same, as you really don't want to see me without clothes to soften the image! LOL.
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Given that the people of China have literally no choice in their leaders unless they want to attempt an armed coup, I don't hold the actions of the Chinese government against the Chinese people. I'm sure the Chinese people would have wanted prompt action and full transparency from their government in this pandemic, no different than we want from our leaders.^^
Given China's questionable and purposely secretive actions at the inception of the present pandemic, I think I would choose to become a nudist before buying any shirts or chinos made in China. Jeez Louise, I hope some good Samaritan comes along and reopens the Garland plant...and you should be praying for the same, as you really don't want to see me without clothes to soften the image! LOL.
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While I certainly have no disagreement with your perspectives on the people of China, I think you may have missed the humorous intent of my earlier post...or perhaps you didn't think it to be funny. I agree that there is a disappointing similarity when considering/comparing the honesty and integrity of China's national leadership and so very many of the elected national leaders/leadership of our beloved Republic! A saddening reality for sure. However, it is also true that if we transfer so much of our manufacturing capability to China, we shouldn't be so surprised when they hoard critical supplies we we are left scratching our heads and doing without.
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Oh Boy, I could have a field day with this topic. I'll refrain.
Suffice it to say I've watched the slow creeping transformation of this Republic and they're still at it.
Suffice it to say I've watched the slow creeping transformation of this Republic and they're still at it.
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Apologies there, good sir. My sense of humor is fairly stunted, and apparently missed your previous humorous intent.While I certainly have no disagreement with your perspectives on the people of China, I think you may have missed the humorous intent of my earlier post...or perhaps you didn't think it to be funny. I agree that there is a disappointing similarity when considering/comparing the honesty and integrity of China's national leadership and so very many of the elected national leaders/leadership of our beloved Republic! A saddening reality for sure. However, it is also true that if we transfer so much of our manufacturing capability to China, we shouldn't be so surprised when they hoard critical supplies we we are left scratching our heads and doing without.
As to manufacturing, I'm all for made in the USA, and I feel badly for the affected workers here.
I want to hate this post, mostly because I agree with it completely. But without wanting to get the whole thread booted to the Interchange, a comment about Garland in particular. It's be my strong suspicion that their operations may have likely been teetering on the edge before Coronavirus, the pandemic just gave more kindling for BB to pull the plug. As far as American manufacturing, we as a country are just reaping what our fellow well-heeled citizens have sown for the past 30-40 years, an intentional lack of infrastructure investment in manufacturing, choosing instead to contract it out to the cheapest bidder, which in most cases is overseas. I'm afraid there are not enough of us with the means and inclination to pay more for a locally-made product, even if of comparable quality. Currently it seems to me that there's a very small sweet spot for luxury, hand-crafted, American-made items. but as soon as the production needs to be scaled up it rapidly becomes economically unsustainable. A potential example could be CircleRock, the company started by Paul Grangaard after he left AE. For that matter, look at AE and Alden, small specks in the whole dress shoe market, and they have to claw for every sale. I wish I had an answer. Or a magic wand.While I certainly have no disagreement with your perspectives on the people of China, I think you may have missed the humorous intent of my earlier post...or perhaps you didn't think it to be funny. I agree that there is a disappointing similarity when considering/comparing the honesty and integrity of China's national leadership and so very many of the elected national leaders/leadership of our beloved Republic! A saddening reality for sure. However, it is also true that if we transfer so much of our manufacturing capability to China, we shouldn't be so surprised when they hoard critical supplies we we are left scratching our heads and doing without.
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At the risk of getting the thread back on the original track, I just want to quote a great American intellectual:
"It ain't over till it's over." - Yogi Berra
"It ain't over till it's over." - Yogi Berra
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Good luck!^^
Given China's questionable and purposely secretive actions at the inception of the present pandemic, I think I would choose to become a nudist before buying any shirts or chinos made in China. Jeez Louise, I hope some good Samaritan comes along and reopens the Garland plant...and you should be praying for the same, as you really don't want to see me without clothes to soften the image! LOL.
Rumors floating around that BB will close their Southwick plant in MA and the Tie Factory located on Long Island. If true, then ALL BB plants located in the US will disappear.
If the Southwick plant closes, what are RTR or even MTM options for a true NS3r2 jacket ? Who does Oconnels source from ? Is Hickey still an option ? Samuelson (Canadian) will cut a 3r2 sack, but I don't like their shoulders.
If the Southwick plant closes, what are RTR or even MTM options for a true NS3r2 jacket ? Who does Oconnels source from ? Is Hickey still an option ? Samuelson (Canadian) will cut a 3r2 sack, but I don't like their shoulders.
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