SWIM & SURF
Swim Maker Raj Opens New Factory in Santa Fe Springs
Tustin, Calif.–based Raj Manufacturing—maker of swimwear under the Athena, Next by Athena, Luxe by Lisa Vogel, Nautica, Guess, Ella Moss, Splendid, Hurley and Reef brands—opened a new manufacturing facility in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
The new factory complements Raj’s existing facility in Tustin, which has been in operation since 1978.
“As our company has grown through the years, we have maximized the available capacity in our on-site factory and had to rely more on outside contractors, including some in China and Mexico,” said Raj Co-President Alex Bhathal. “Costs are cheaper there, but at the end of the day, we believe in the quality control and inventory flexibility that domestic manufacturing allows.”
The Santa Fe Springs facility opened in mid-November and is expected to employ up to 100 workers. The company expects the factory to be able to produce 500,000 suits per year.
“We are proud to support the California swimwear industry. We live in the swimwear mecca of the world,” said Lisa Vogel, Raj co-president and creative director for the Luxe by Lisa Vogel collection.
