Artistic Milliners Furthers Western Hemisphere Footprint with Mexico Facility Acquisition
In today’s unpredictable sourcing environment, stability and agility are key. Retailers, having experienced volatile shipping and supply chains over the last few years, are focused on safeguarding their production processes. Nearshoring has emerged as a powerful strategy, allowing for more responsive manufacturing timelines and fewer inventory issues.
Artistic Milliners, a global denim and woven manufacturer based in Pakistan, has been expanding its Western Hemisphere presence to provide brands with end-to-end product development and production capabilities closer to their customers.
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“Over the years, the demand for nearshoring has intensified, driven by the need for shorter lead times, reduced carbon footprints, and greater supply chain resilience,” said Murtaza Ahmed, CEO of Artistic Milliners. “However, we identified gaps in the existing supply chain infrastructure in this region and saw an opportunity to create a solution that is both modern and dependable.”
Artistic Milliners began its Western Hemisphere expansion in 2020 with the acquisition of Los Angeles-based Star Fades International (SFI), a cutting-edge design and finishing facility. As clients leveraged SFI’s R&D capabilities, many sought to bring production closer to home, prompting Artistic Milliners to subcontract with manufacturers in Mexico and Guatemala. The response was clear: the Western Hemisphere had become a necessity, not a luxury.
To meet that growing demand, Artistic Milliners has now acquired VF Corp.’s Dickies de Parras S. de RL de CV facility in Parras, Mexico. This 10-acre complex, featuring an 80,000-square-foot production floor, positions Artistic Milliners to increase capacity significantly. The company is currently upgrading the facility, with commercial production slated to begin in the third quarter of 2025, ramping up to an annual production goal of 3 million units by 2027. Alongside its partner facilities, this will bring Artistic Milliners’ total annual capacity in the Americas to 5 million units.
In keeping with its vision of being the “Denim Manufacturing Company of the Future,” Artistic Milliners is integrating extensive automation and digitalization across its operations. The Parras facility will embody front-line manufacturing techniques, including advanced garment finishing technologies that reduce waste and improve sustainability. This is a testament to Artistic Milliners’ commitment to driving innovation while maintaining the highest ethical standards in water usage, chemical management and labor practices.