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Carhartt, a premium workwear brand, has announced that it is partnering with the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) by dedicating the third floor of its Cass Avenue, Detroit, retail location to the organization. In addition, the company is also making an in-kind donation of apparel manufacturing equipment to help support the organization’s launch plans. The announcement was made at the recent “Made in Detroit: Moving the Apparel Industry Forward” event hosted by Pure Michigan Business Connect, a program under the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), in collaboration with ISAIC.
The relationship between the organizations is the result of a shared vision between Carhartt and ISAIC; both organizations have a desire to support the hardest working people in America, a mutual passion for Detroit and a commitment to workforce and skilled trade development.
National Center of Excellence
ISAIC will transform the donated space into a national center of excellence for sewn trades, helping to bridge the training of traditional skills with those for emerging technologies. The organization will provide ongoing apprenticeships to move the apparel industry forward. ISAIC also intends to use the space for a worker-owned pilot apparel manufacturing facility in the coming months. The combined ISAIC initiatives will help to further the emerging apparel industry in Detroit and create ongoing opportunities for workforce and skilled trade development.
“Detroit always has been a place where things are made, and we are seeing increasing interest in Detroit as a center for the apparel manufacturing industry,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “I am deeply appreciative to Carhartt and ISAIC for their efforts to train Detroiters for the jobs we expect to become available in our city in the garment manufacturing industry.”
Together, Carhartt and ISAIC intend to help close the skilled trades gap (including apparel manufacturing), elevate the perception of careers in the trades and advocate for the skilled worker’s way of life.
“ISAIC will serve the rapidly changing apparel industry by providing a people-centric environment, ongoing learning, equity in growth and a commitment to ethical practices,” said Jen Guarino, Chair of ISAIC’s board and vice president of manufacturing at Shinola. “Carhartt’s contribution to ISAIC reflects the company’s long held commitment to providing apparel for workers and supporting the work they perform. We couldn’t think of a partnership more ideal than this.”
About Carhartt Inc.
Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium workwear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged products for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with more than 5,500 associates worldwide, the company is family-owned and managed by the descendants of the company’s founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.