Apparel company moves its sewing to Salem from China


Nine 1 One Gear, a Portland-based company that makes gear for firefighters and emergency responders, is moving its sewing operations from China to Salem.

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Nine 1 One Gear, a Portland-based company that makes gear for firefighters and emergency responders, is moving its sewing operations from China to Salem.

In what company officials are calling a merger, Nine 1 One Gear is joining WaterShed Inc.

WaterShed’s and Nine 1 One Gear’s brands will be manufactured at the 25,000-square-foot Salem plant. Products made by the merger partners will be marketed by a newly formed group called WaterShed Apparel.

Inflation in China and quality-control problems had Nine 1 One looking for alternatives. Moreover, manufacturing capacity at Chinese apparel plants is tight, and lead times for filling orders are getting longer.

Read more at StatesmanJournal.com.

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