Here’s a secret not everyone knows: Many businesses don’t manufacture their own products. Some big brands even choose to use white-label products or outsource their manufacturing. In essence, white-label products and outsourced manufacturing take your brand’s details and place them on the products, resulting in a custom product that is sold by your business as your products. As an apparel brand, you have multiple options when it comes to finding clothing manufacturers.
Many South Africans are seeing success in creating their apparel brands, such as Happyville or King Vleis. This can be attributed to the positive sentiment surrounding the manufacturing industry when it comes to clothing and textiles.
Clothing Manufacturing Industry Insight
Current data shows that the clothing industry employs approximately 143 000 people, only representing 11% of the total number of individuals employed by the manufacturing sector. And although there has been a remarkable decline in the value addition of clothing production from 1994 at 5% to 2% in 2022, not all hope is lost.
The gross value added of clothing and textiles increased to R 11,5 billion in 2022.
However, what is affecting the industry so severely is that 25,9% of South Africa’s imports are clothing. That’s more than a quarter of all imported goods. The majority of clothing found in stores is also imported as finished products. The implication for our local economy is that money is spent outside our borders, making our country poorer.
The silver lining that is creating opportunities, however, is that South Africa benefits from being part of multiple trade programmes and the United States legislated the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This means that any locally produced apparel has duty-free access to the United States, but only if it’s made from local textiles too. This creates a multi-level opportunity for both clothing and textile manufacturers.
Since South Africa has the ability to produce cotton, mohair and wool, entrepreneurs shouldn’t shy away from the chance to produce apparel with the aim of exporting to the US. The Eastern Cape, for instance, is already the world’s leading producer of mohair (51%).
Furthermore, South Africa already identified the clothing manufacturing industry as a way to create jobs that subsume unskilled youth. Sincere efforts are being made to grow SMMEs in this sector, but more on that later in this article.
Finding a Clothing Manufacturer for Your Apparel Brand
When you have done your market research, identified what products you would like to sell, constructed a business plan, registered your small business and obtained funding with which you are now ready to launch your enterprise, you need to find a manufacturer that will make your concept come to life.
You need to consider price points, how big batch orders need to be, the costs of various clothing items, and if the manufacturing is able to achieve your goals. Therefore, investigate all the proudly South African apparel producers and see what they have to offer before you make a choice.
To make your research easier, we’ve compiled a list of manufacturers that can serve as a starting point for you. Remember, you should take a careful look at the styles, colours, materials and services offered and if it its your vision.
Oh Two Clothing
Oh Two Clothing is a Durban-based manufacturer with in-house Design, CMT and Screen Printing capabilities. This business provides sampling services to ensure you are happy with the product before placing a bulk order. Among the products they produce are t-shirts, vests, jackets, hoodies, golfers, long sleeve t-shirts, joggers, dresses, skirts, aprons and activewear. The company prides itself on sourcing the materials locally.
Time Clothing
Just outside East London, Time Clothing manufactures a wide range of wholesale garments. These include shirts and blouses, trousers, chinos, security wear, workwear, chef wear, hospital wear, jackets, fishing and bush wear, golfers, schoolwear, and sportswear. Through dye sublimation, digital printing, cutting, heat transfer and embroidery, you are in good hands.
Apparel Scout
Apparel Scout manufactures a wide range of garments that cover different items for men, women and children. Customers can expect guidance on pattern creation and many fabric knits. For large orders, the company can also create a custom dye (Hello, signature brand colours). Working with this company will ensure you can truly provide proudly South African fabrics.
Reliance Clothing
Upmarket and bespoke manufacturing can be found at Reliance Clothing. Their range of fabrics includes an assortment of South African cotton: combed and carded as well as brushed fleece, cotton spandex and polyester spandex, viscose and viscose spandex, and nylon spandex. They specialise in t-shirts, vests, skirts, dresses, shorts and activewear.
SS Textiles
If you are passionate about socks like the ladies from SS Textiles, you can turn to this 100% Black female-owned sock manufacturer. They produce over 20 types of socks including freezer, cane, school, safety and uniform socks. You can also find terry (cushion), football, fashion, sport and specialised socks like their anti-static and anti-microbial socks.
Jendas Textiles
Another manufacturer your apparel brand can turn to is Jendas Textiles. They specialise in slipper socks with rubberised non-slip technology, infant, children and adult socks. They also produce pantyhose and opaque tights. A variety of styles and colours are available, so you are encouraged to reach out them to talk about a custom design.
OnNeedle Manufacturing
OnNeedle Manufacturing blends comfort, quality, and style. Using this company for your custom designs allows you to choose from materials such as Cotton, Nylon, Polyester, Bamboo, Spandex and Elastic.
Assistance for Clothing Manufacturers and Apparel Brands
The ‘Origin8: From Start-up to Scale-up’, programme is designed and administered by the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster (CCTC) and funded by the City of Cape Town. It is a first of its kind and aims to expose SMEs to major national retailer requirements. Furthermore, it also helps them to bridge gaps in their business.
The first of the two key events of this programme will commence on 21 January 2025. It is a workshop where attendees can engage with major national retailers and understand what is required of potential suppliers during the procurement process. On the following day, there will be a half-day tour where participants can witness world-class manufacturing that adheres to international best practices.
The programme promises to provide applicants with insight into customer expectations, guidance on how to sync your strategy with industry demands, and equipment yourself for smart, sustainable expansion.
Any SME from the clothing, textile and leather manufacturing sector based in or near Cape Town, can apply if they meet the following criteria:
- Has over two years of trading experience,
- Employs 10 or more people,
- Has an annual turnover between R 2 million and R 50 million.
If you qualify, apply for the free programme before 2 December 2024 via the online form.
