FesslerUSA Shuttering After 112 Years in Business
After more than a century in business, FesslerUSA is closing its doors.
The OrwigsburgPa.–based vertical apparel manufacturer produced for companies such as LosAngeles–based Michael Stars and was a frequent exhibitor at the Los Angeles International TextileShow at the California Market Center.
“They were ourindustry’s ultimate business model,” said Mike Todaro, managing director of the American Apparel Producers’ Network,a nonprofit business association, in an email sent to AAPN members. Todarorecalled a recent AAPN annual meeting where the entire domestic supply chain,“from dirt to shirt,” was in attendance. “The 'dirt' was David Sasso of Buhler Quality Yarns,whoseSupima yarns were sent to FesslerUSA. The mill and factory was Walter Meck ofFesslerUSA, who took the yarn and knitted it, then cut and sewed into a fashiontop. And finally there was Heather Cameron of Nordstrom,who sold the shirt to us at her stores. This was a 100 percent Made in USAsupply chain.”
Founded at the turnof the 20th century by Walter Meck, grandfather and namesake of the currentchief executive officer, Fessler started out as Meck & Co., which knitcotton and manufactured underwear. Always a family business, the Mecks sold thecompany in the 1960s to the Fessler family, but in 1994, Meck family membersbought it back.
Over the years, thecompany developed a reputation for quickly developing and deliveringcontemporary garments for apparel manufacturers and retailers of all sizes. Inrecent years, Fessler tested new divisions, including a private-label programfor small retailers.
At textile tradeshows, the Fessler booth was often packed with buyers meeting with Meck; hiswife, Bonnie Meck, who served as chief operating officer and chiefsustainability officer; and their son, Brian Meck, who served as vice presidentof sales and marketing.
Brian Meck left thecompany earlier this year, and rumors that the company was in trouble began tocirculate in the industry. A Fessler employee confirmed that the company isclosing, although she said the owners were hoping to find a buyer interested ineither the entire operation or possibly the design developmentcapabilities—anything to salvage some of the 130 Fessler jobs.
“This is not justthe loss of jobs,” said Todaro in his email. “It is a fracture in thefoundation of the very factory-direct business model that used to and isbeginning to once again drive this industry—close, fast, fresh, easier, better,safer and in the right fashion formula who cares about cheaper.”
Fessler’s customers are now tasked with finding new resourcesfor domestic manufacturing.
“Westarted with Fessler back in 1990 and have truly valued our relationship withthem through the years,” said Michael Stars co-founders Michael Cohen andSuzanne Lerner in an email. “It’s unfortunate to see how the economy hasaffected quality businesses. Fessler created a high-quality product thatis far superior to any product we could have purchased overseas. However,producing domestic apparel remains important to us, and we have already begunthe transition to locally-produced garments.”—AlisonA. Nieder
