Valley Apparel L.L.C.

Last updated
Valley Apparel, L.L.C.
Type Private
Industry Clothing
Founded Knoxville, Tennessee 1959
Headquarters,
United States
Key people
John Niethammer, Owner / President
Jeffrey D. Niethammer, Owner / Executive Vice President
Website www.valleyapparel.net

Valley Apparel L.L.C. is a United States brand of clothing consisting of Flight jackets and military outerwear manufactured in Knoxville, Tennessee for the United States Armed Forces. Founded in 1959 and independent since 2000, Valley specializes in military style apparel for both the consumer market and military customers in the United States Department of Defense (DoD).

Contents

History

Origins

In January, 1948 Robert Lane formed Superior Togs Corporation in New York City to manufacture flight jackets for the Department of Defense. In 1951 he moved his expanding business to a factory to Elizabeth, New Jersey. The following year the Government suspended operations for problems related to contract obligations. In response Lane reformed his company under a different name, Rolen Sportswear, and resumed production of flight jackets for the DoD. [1]

By 1957 Lane sought to expand. This was achieved by creating a new company, Dobbs Industries, under 90% ownership of Lane's accountant, Samuel Gelber. Lane decided to locate Dobbs in Knoxville, Tennessee where they were able to lease factory space from Levi Strauss & Co. and acquire labor and supplies from the Wynn Industries Group.

The Blount Avenue factory complex c.1984. Formerly part of Alpha Industries, the building in now home to Valley Apparel L.L.C. Blount ave factory.jpg
The Blount Avenue factory complex c.1984. Formerly part of Alpha Industries, the building in now home to Valley Apparel L.L.C.

Dobbs functioned as a subcontractor of Rolen Sportswear until 1959 when Robert Lane was caught bribing Government officials for contacts. Both Rolen Sportswear and Dobbs Industries were suspended from DoD contracts, their only source of revenue. In response Gelber approached the Wynn Industries Group and established his own company to continue flight jacket contracts for the U.S. military.

Creation of Valley Apparel

In 1961 John Niethammer was hired by one of the Wynn Group's subsidiaries to develop quality controls plans to meet Government standards. In 1982 he became an operating officer of the company. Following a decision in 2000 to separate the commercial and government sides of the business John purchased the main Knoxville manufacturing plants from Alpha Industries and began Valley Apparel L.L.C., aimed specifically at fulfilling DoD contracts.

Today

Valley Apparel is today a supplier of outerwear to the U.S. military, especially of Gore-Tex fabrics. Since splitting from Alpha they have fulfilled a number of military contracts. [2] [3] [4]

Products

Valley Apparel produces namely: [5]

Notes

    1. Cirker, Alan D. (2009). Alpha Industries Inc.: A Fifty Year History of an American Clothing Contractor. Chantilly, Virginia: Baker Hill Publishing. p. 10. ISBN   978-0-615-29181-9.
    2. InsideGov 2002.
    3. InsideGov 2013.
    4. GovSpending 2013.
    5. "Valley Apparel". valleyapparel.net.

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Parka</span> Fur-lined cold weather overgarment

    A parka or anorak is a type of coat with a hood, often lined with fur or faux fur. This kind of garment is a staple of Inuit clothing, traditionally made from caribou or seal skin, for hunting and kayaking in the frigid Arctic. Some Inuit anoraks require regular coating with fish oil to retain their water resistance.

    Eddie Bauer, LLC is an American clothing store chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Eddie Bauer sells its merchandise via retail stores, outlet stores, and online and via phone, with a call center in Groveport, Ohio. Its flagship store is in Bellevue at Bellevue Square. In addition to the three sales channels, the company operates a distribution and fulfillment center in Groveport, Ohio; an IT facility in Westmont, Illinois; and a distribution center in Vaughan, Ontario. Eddie Bauer is also a minority participant in joint ventures in Japan and Germany that include retail stores, catalogs, and websites. The company also selectively licenses the Eddie Bauer brand name and logo for various products sold through other companies including eyewear, furniture, bicycles, and, up until the 2010 model year, upper level versions of Ford Motor Company's Bronco, Explorer, Expedition and Excursion SUVs.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbia Sportswear</span> American company that manufactures and distributes outerwear and sportswear

    The Columbia Sportswear Company is an American company that manufactures and distributes outerwear, sportswear, and footwear, as well as headgear, camping equipment, ski apparel, and outerwear accessories.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Esprit Holdings</span> Manufacturer of clothing, accessories and housewares

    Esprit Holdings Limited is a global publicly traded retail company located in Hong Kong, North Point, with its creative headquarters located in New York City, inclusive of design, branding, and marketing. The company offers an assortment of clothing, accessories, footwear, jewelry, and housewares under the Esprit label.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Arc'teryx</span> Canadian high-end design company specializing on technical apparel and outdoor equipment

    Arc'teryx is a Canadian high-end design company specializing in outdoor apparel and equipment headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia. It focuses on technical apparel for mountaineering and Alpine sports, including related accessories. The company's name and logo reference the Archaeopteryx, the transitional fossil of early dinosaurs to modern dinosaurs (birds). Arc'teryx is known for its waterproof Gore-Tex shell jackets, knitwear, and down parkas.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">A-2 jacket</span> US WWII-era flight jacket

    The Type A-2 leather flight jacket is an American military flight jacket originally invented and developed for and closely associated with World War II U.S. Army Air Forces pilots, navigators and bombardiers, who often decorated their jackets with squadron patches and elaborate artwork painted on the back. Sometimes casually referred to as a bomber jacket, its original designation was "Jacket, Pilot's (summer)", and its wartime usage was limited neither to pilots nor to bomber crews.

    Canada Goose is a Canadian holding company of winter clothing manufacturers. The company was founded in 1957 by Sam Tick, under the name Metro Sportswear Ltd.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha Industries</span> American clothing manufacturer

    Alpha Industries is an American clothing manufacturer founded in 1959 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alpha Industries specializes in American military style and fashion apparel items such as flight jackets. It has produced the M65 Jacket for the US military for over half a century.

    Avirex is an American company that designs, manufactures and markets clothing lines. It was founded by Jeff Clyman in 1975 as a brand for military apparel. Contrary to popular belief, Avirex was not a U.S. military supplier during World War II. In 1987 the company worked on re-issuing of A-2 jacket for the United States Air Force.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">MA-1 bomber jacket</span> American flight jacket

    The MA-1 bomber jacket is an American military jacket which was developed in the 1950s. The MA-1 and its predecessor, the B-15 flight jacket, were originally developed and needed at that time because the characteristics of the new jet aircraft created new requirements for pilot performance, safety, and comfort.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">I. Spiewak & Sons</span>

    I. Spiewak & Sons, Inc., commonly known simply as Spiewak, is a New York-based apparel manufacturer founded in 1904. Spiewak currently manufactures high-visibility safety apparel, EMS protective gear, and other uniforms for private businesses and government agencies. Spiewak also offers a line of consumer outerwear.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">G-1 military flight jacket</span> US WWII-era navy flight jacket

    The "G-1" military flight jacket is the commonly accepted name for the fur-lined-collar World War II-era leather flight jacket of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. A similar jacket used by the United States Army Air Corps/United States Army Air Forces was usually called the A-2 jacket.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">London Fog (company)</span> Manufacturer of coats and other clothes

    London Fog is an American manufacturer of coats and other apparel. The company was founded in 1922 as the Londontown clothing company by Israel Myers.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Starter (clothing line)</span> American clothing manufacturer

    Starter, Inc. is an American clothing manufacturer, focusing on major league sports teams. Starter's current licenses include MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL teams. Non-sports agreements include a partnership with Coca-Cola.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Kellwood Company</span>

    Kellwood Apparel is an American apparel manufacturer. Founded in 1961, Kellwood's portfolio of Women's, Juniors and Girls apparel includes: Parker, Devlin, Briggs NY, Democracy, Jax, Rewind and My Michelle, as well as licensed brands. Kellwood became an affiliated company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. in February, 2008. In December 2016, Kellwood company was acquired by an unnamed Hong Kong investor group for an undisclosed amount.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Blouson</span> Jacket originally worn by militaries

    A blouson or blouse jacket is a jacket that is drawn tight at the waist, causing it to blouse out and hang over the waistband. Originating in military uniforms of the mid-20th century, versions continue to be used as part of military, paramilitary and law enforcement uniforms in many places. As a piece of civilian clothing, it is considered to be both sportswear and casual clothing.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">TRU-SPEC</span>

    TRU-SPEC is a United States brand of clothing consisting of uniforms and tactical equipment for military, law enforcement and public safety personnel. In addition to TRU-SPEC's on-duty gear and apparel, the company also manufactures various types of off-duty clothing.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">C.P. Company</span> Italian apparel brand

    C.P. Company is an Italian apparel brand founded in 1971 by designer Massimo Osti. Initially called Chester Perry by the suggestion of his fashion entrepreneur friend Corrado Zannoni, its name was changed in 1978 following a lawsuit by Chester Barrie and Fred Perry, for the use of their first name and surname.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">G-III Apparel Group</span> American clothing company

    G-III Apparel Group is an American clothing company which designs, manufactures, and markets women's and men's apparel in the United States and internationally through a portfolio of proprietary and licensed brand names, including Guess?, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Andrew Marc, Levi Strauss & Co., Dockers, Harley-Davidson apparel, Vilebrequin, Sonia Rykiel, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Cole and Wilsons.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the United States Coast Guard</span> Uniforms worn by the US Coast Guard

    The Uniforms of the United States Coast Guard include dress uniforms, daily service uniforms, working uniforms, and uniforms for special situations, which have varied throughout the history of the USCG.