Posted January 13, 2015

 

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, the South Carolina Department of Commerce announced.

 

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 based 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 and expand its ecommerce fulfillment and print-on-demand services.

 

"It is an honor to bring sewing jobs back to South Carolina,” said Vapor Apparel founder and President Jackson Burnett. “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."

 

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 this year. Hiring for some of the new positions is expected to begin in the spring.

 

"This time the jobs are connected to dynamic markets and leverage our investment in mass customized artwork for our clients,” said Vapor Apparel co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer Christopher Bernat. “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."

 

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.

 

"It's always exciting to celebrate a South Carolina company like Vapor Apparel making the decision to expand in our state,” said S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley. “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."

 

About Vapor Apparel

 

Vapor Apparel is an industry leader in Sublimation Certified™ performance apparel for the sublimation/print-on-demand markets. With distribution throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, the U.K. and the Caribbean, the company 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-and-sew custom garment services as well as full private-label programs for personal apparel branding. The company also offers Amazon fulfillment and e-commerce 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.