North Charleston-based company to set up cut and sew operation, expecting to add 114 jobs over five years
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Vapor Apparel, a leader in performance apparel manufacturing and digital print-on-demand services, is opening a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Union County. This marks a major step for the company that focuses on sublimation printing solutions and performance fabrics. The facility will house the company’s domestic cut and sew division, which is a rapidly expanding part of the company’s product line. The $1.3 million investment is expected to create 114 new jobs over five years.
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in North Charleston, S.C., Vapor Apparel is experiencing rapid growth and has been named one of the 25 fastest-growing companies in South Carolina twice within the last five years. The establishment of this Union County facility will complement the company’s existing production facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina and expand its ecommerce fulfillment and print-on-demand services.
Located on an 8.5 acre tract of land at 1243 Riley Road in Union, S.C., Vapor Apparel’s Union County operations are expected to come on line in the first quarter of 2015. Hiring for some of the new positions is expected to begin in the spring.
readySC™, a division of the S.C. Technical College System, will be assisting with recruitment and training for the open positions at Vapor’s Union County facility. To apply for these positions, please visit www.sctechjobs.com. For more information on Vapor Apparel, please visit www.vaporapparel.com.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $100,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to assist with the costs of real property improvements related to the project.
QUOTES
“It is an honor to bring sewing jobs back to South Carolina. Union is textile country. It has a history in the industry. These jobs are connected to technology through Print-On-Demand markets which we will continue to invest in moving forward.” –Vapor Apparel Co-Founder and President Jackson Burnett
“This time the jobs are connected to dynamic markets and leverage our investment in mass customized artwork for our clients. We also have a lot of demand for Made in the USA products with our national parks retailers. Our custom cut and sew offers minimum orders as few as six garments.” –Vapor Apparel Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer Christopher Bernat
“It’s always exciting to celebrate a South Carolina company like Vapor Apparel making the decision to expand in our state. The 114 jobs that this investment will create in Union County is great news for the local community and it proves that every part of South Carolina is open for business.” –Gov. Nikki Haley
“South Carolina has a long tradition of supporting the textile industry. Today, we celebrate Vapor Apparel’s decision to continue that tradition by selecting Union County as the site of their first U.S. manufacturing facility. This is not only another victory for our textile manufacturing industry but for our state as a whole.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt
“I am particularly excited about Vapor Apparel’s investment in Union County, which will provide 114 additional jobs for our citizens. Vapor Apparel is using an existing facility and that in itself is noteworthy. We welcome Vapor Apparel to our community and look forward to a long and profitable relationship with them.” –Former Union County Supervisor Thomas L. Sinclair
“We are pleased to announce that Vapor Apparel will be locating a cut and sew facility in Union County with a projected investment of approximately $1.3 million and the potential for 114 jobs for Union citizens. This is great news for our community and through public and private funds this textile project has come to fruition. We wish Jackson Burnett and his team great success in Union.” –Union County Development Board Chairman Joe Nichols
FIVE FAST FACTS
- Vapor Apparel is establishing its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Union County.
- $1.3 million investment creating an expected 114 new jobs over five years.
- The company is currently headquartered in North Charleston, S.C.
- This Union County manufacturing facility will complement the company’s existing production operations in North Charleston, South Carolina.
- To join the Vapor Apparel team, please visit www.sctechjobs.com.
About Vapor Apparel
Founded in 2004, Vapor Apparel is the industry leader in Sublimation Certified™ performance apparel for the sublimation / print-on-demand markets. With distribution throughout the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK and the Caribbean, the company, Vapor Apparel offers high-quality performance apparel, bulk fabrics and various accessories manufactured in the Americas with the digital decorator in mind. The company also offers cut & sew custom garment services as well as full private label programs for personal apparel branding. The company also offers Amazon fulfillment and Ecommerce Print-On-Demand services. Vapor Apparel has been recognized by Specialty Graphics and Imaging Association, Impressions Magazine, Wearables Magazine, ASI and others for award winning product development, print quality and commitment to the digital apparel industry.