In a recent episode of The Manufacturing Report podcast, Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, sat down with Josh Ruyle and Matt Davis from Dignity Apparel and Image Pointe to discuss their mission to create garments made with dignity in the United States.
The statistics they shared about the garment industry were shocking: only 2% of garment industry employees worldwide make a living wage, and in California, 85% of garment industry employees were earning less than minimum wage as of January 2022. Ruyle and Davis are on a mission to change that.
Image Pointe, founded 47 years ago, has been focusing on garment decoration for customers who care about domestic manufacturing. Three years ago, they launched Dignity Apparel to address the lack of US-made and union-made garment products in the market.
Davis, who previously worked as a UAW member at John Deere and in a marketing firm, recently became a Tennessee resident to be closer to the Dignity Apparel operation. He emphasized the importance of honoring and respecting the work of skilled employees in the garment industry.
“It’s amazing to be able to hear that my first week on the ground, again, as a new Tennessee resident, and it gave me all the energy and all the motivation that I need for them to see those dots connected. Really, really powerful,” Davis said.
Dignity Apparel has traditionally focused on the labor union market, but they see the potential for growth beyond that core market, driven by their compelling story and cause. Being a union shop has helped them attract hard-working people looking to work their way into the middle class and has had a positive impact on business success and growth.
Ruyle shared a heartwarming anecdote about a sewer who designed a shirt that became the “Dignity” design worn by staff.
To say, hey, this is something that you not only made, we made this whole thing in our facility. We knit the fabric, we cut and sewed it. But even the design that’s on here was your own creativity and it’s adding a ton to our values and culture. And that’s just an amazing thing to be able to be a part of.
Looking ahead, Ruyle and Davis see the potential for a bigger market opportunity, driven by people craving authenticity in business. They believe that by treating employees with respect and creating a positive work environment, they can attract customers beyond the labor union market, including music artists, brands, and political/government entities.
As the Manufacturing Report podcast highlights, Dignity Apparel’s union-driven approach to revitalizing American garment production is not only creating products made with dignity but also showcasing the power of authenticity in business. Their commitment to their employees and their mission is an inspiration to manufacturers across the United States.
