Appalachian Gear Company, an outdoor lifestyle company specializing in American-made performance apparel and gear, is proud to announce its expansion into a new manufacturing facility in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The move will allow the brand to significantly increase production of its award-winning All-Paca™ products, while creating jobs in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Over the past 30 years, Appalachian Gear Company’s founders watched apparel manufacturing leave the United States. Since getting started in Charlotte in 2018, App Gear Co has always manufactured 100% of its fabric in its own facility, with product assembly taking place at various factories across the Southeastern U.S. As demand grew for the brand’s unique performance Hoodies, Crews, accessories, and gear, it became clear it was time to find a larger space that could accommodate the pace of manufacturing needed to keep up. As a result, App Gear Co’s founders returned to their roots and relocated to historic Kings Mountain, where they started their first-ever manufacturing operation. By staying in North Carolina, App Gear Co is able to have better oversight of the manufacturing process, ensure the production of higher quality garments and gear, and guarantee employees have a safe working environment.
“App Gear Co really started growing two years ago as more people began to find out about us, and then COVID struck,” says John Gage, co-founder of Appalachian Gear Company. “Ironically, 2020 was the year that our brand’s public awareness exploded, and we really struggled to keep up with demand in the face of global supply chain issues that impacted our flow of raw material from Peru. I know to a lot of folks, the decision to find a bigger, better space to grow our business in the midst of all that was unthinkable, but we just see it as staying true to the entrepreneurial spirit that helped us start the brand in the first place.”
Production has commenced at the new facility, with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the plans for July. For more information, contact Suzanne Hermann at suzanne@darbycommunications.com or visit appalachiangearcompany.com.
About Appalachian Gear Company
Appalachian Gear Company is an outdoor lifestyle company specializing in performance-based clothing and equipment manufactured in the United States. We combine decades in the textile industry with countless miles logged on trails across the country to introduce innovative and environmentally friendly products that provide performance and value. Our All-Paca garments are made from 100% Alpaca fiber and deliver unmatched breathability, comfort, and performance with less impact on the environment than synthetics. We understand the importance of Getting Out and Staying Out, and believe time spent in the outdoors leads to a happier, healthier life. Learn more at appalachiangearcompany.com.
