KBL Group International acquires Sweater Project

13 January 2010, New York – Sweater manufacturer KBL Group International, one of the largest North American based producers, has acquired North Bergen, New Jersey based AR Knitwear and its well known Sweater Project brand. Sweater Project is known for its fashionable sweaters and jackets for teenage girls.

KBL President Steven Begleiter said that Sweater Project’s reputation and KBL’s ability to move high volumes of product through its supply chain would make a good asset. David Rosenbluth and Florence Packman are to continue to run the AR Knitwear operation but details of the deal were not disclosed.

With facilities in Hong Kong, Mexico, and China, and a knitting capacity of 200,000 dozens per month KBL is well positioned to meet its customers’ needs. The group produces for major brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Bebe, Victoria’s Secret, Nordstrom, L.L. Bean and Liz Claiborne.

The company operates around 1500 Stoll multi gauge machines and produces cables, pointelles, intarsias and jacquards in a range of gauges from 1.5 to 14. The main fibres processed are cotton, cotton blends, wool, wool blends, acrylic, and acrylic blends.

KBL has over 5000 employees and occupies over 1,000,000 square feet of space at its facilities around the world. The company’s New York headquarters accommodates production specialists, designers, merchandisers and its account managers, while KBL De Mexico, S.A. DE C.V., which is located in Valle De Santiago, Mexico, is a 250,000 square foot facility with 381 Stoll machines, 2000 workers, and a knitting capacity of over 45,000 dozens per month.

KBL’s Turbo-Knit factory Ltd is located in Fanling, Hong Kong and is a 45,000 square foot facility with 462 knitting machines, 150 workers, and a knitting capacity of 65,000 dozens per month.

The group’s Turbo Knitwear Fashion (Dongguan) Co. Ltd. Which is located Guangdong, China, is a 500,000 square foot facility which is home to 3500 workers. The factory has 590 knitting machines and also has finishes the company’s production from Hong Kong.  This facility has a knitting capacity of 85,000 dozens per month finishing capacity of 150,000 dozens per month.

KBL’s fully computerized North American Distribution Center is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey.