We understand your frustration about moving some of our production to China. To clarify, we have been making some production in China for the last 20 years. The bulk of our work has been in the USA. However, there is no labor force training currently in the USA. The US abandoned apparel manufacturing 25+ years ago. Our local manufacturing options have dwindled from over twenty to three!
We have spent years working with local agencies, State officials and even Universities and high schools trying to create a training program to get the labor force back. It is seeming next to impossible to get the next generation of stitchers.
We want you to know we have tried.
We also want you to know that if we attempted to make the stretch micro fleece jacket in the USA that jacket would cost over $200. We have data that shows us that our customers would not absorb that cost to keep the label noting 'Made in USA'.
It is a very sad reality. Our decisions to move off shore are not made callously. They are made for our survival so we can continue to employ the current staff that work hard at Dakini.
