DENIM FORWARD
Established in 1975, US GROUP boasts annual sales of $450 million and a workforce of 23,000, with denim at the core of its identity. While continuing to excel in denim fabric and apparel manufacturing, the company is expanding vertically with a strong emphasis on sustainability and community outreach.
Demonstrating its commitment, US Group implements water conservation initiatives like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge pits, and water filtration plants, benefiting local communities. Additionally, the company harnesses solar and biomass energy, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. At the upcoming Kingpins trade show, US Group will unveil its innovative 'Sativa ReJean' Hemp project, a result of collaboration with the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan. This ensures traceable hemp growth by utilizing seeds tailored to thrive in the local Pakistani soil.
Brad Fritts, EVP of Americas for US Apparel & Textiles, envisions a transformative future for denim at US Group. He articulates a vision of 'fast forward' denim manufacturing, emphasizing innovation and excellence over speed. Fritts emphasizes the company's dedication to superior craftsmanship and visionary design, setting US Group apart as a leader in the industry. Leveraging human and artificial intelligence, US Group aims to elevate product quality, adapt to market trends swiftly, and meet customer demands with precision.
Nate Freeman, recently joining US Group from Banana Republic, brings a fresh perspective to the table. To WeAr Denim, Freeman praises the company's capabilities and its state-of-the-art technology. He highlights their skill in creating high-quality denim, including the latest eco-washes and sustainable branded fibers, such as Seaqual fibers in highly competitively priced jeans for the mass-consumption market. Freeman reflects on the evolution of sustainability in the denim industry: “All the sustainability talk doesn't matter until the technology allows [jeans] to be priced competitively, so mass consumers don't have to pay more for it...because they will not. The technology is here and US Group is doing it.” He expresses a desire to leverage US Group resources to create on-trend collections tailored to the U.S. market, featuring widened legs, vintage washes, and eco-friendly finishes. “We want to stay true to our legacy of manufacturing high-quality products but evolve forward, focused, and trend relevant silhouettes, and really start communicating to our clients all the low water, energy efficient, and eco dry processes and laundry technologies that have been in place for a while now.”