10 MiMfg Magazine July / August 2022
INDUSTRY
Member Spotlight
Sustainable Soft Goods Production
Member since December 2021 • Employs 30 Michigan workers • Learn more at isaic . org
When you look in your closet , unless you have a passion for American fashion , you ’ re not likely to find much clothing that was made in the U . S . While we ’ re fortunate to have iconic Michigan-made clothing brands such as Stormy Kromer and Carhartt , it ’ s estimated that less than 3 percent of the apparel worn in the U . S . is made domestically .
Thankfully , the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center ( ISAIC ), a Michigan-based 501c3 nonprofit with a fundamentally new approach to talent force development and economic stimulus , is committed to changing the dynamic of domestic apparel and soft goods manufacturing . ISAIC can best be described as a learning factory .
“ We started planning ISAIC in 2017 , and we ’ ve been operational for two years ,” says Jennifer Guarino , ISAIC President and CEO .
“ Our goal is to simultaneously advance skills alongside technology solutions . We believe this leads to a much healthier supply chain .”
They considered postponing ISAIC ’ s opening until after the manufacturing shutdown caused by the pandemic , Guarino says . But they quickly found that their resources were needed to pitch in with the production of personal protection ( PPE ) products . “ We concentrated on PPE for the first nine months ,” Guarino says .
Guarino ’ s early career focused on fashion illustration , creative direction , product design and development but , after transitioning to business development , she became a key player in the manufacturing world . She was named Minnesota Manufacturing Awards CEO of the year in 2012 . She then came to Detroit to create Shinola ’ s leather manufacturing unit . ISAIC ’ s learning and manufacturing factory is located
Jennifer Guarino with Roni Williams , an ISAIC apprentice . in the heart of Detroit , in a space donated by Carhartt , and it is far from the stereotypical manufacturing environment .
“ Training and production happen under large skylights with music playing ,” says Guarino . “ There are a lot of windows and plants and an onsite cafe .”
As a contract manufacturer , ISAIC produces the highest quality garments for major clothing brands . They also have alliances with industry leaders like Autodesk , Juki ( an equipment manufacturer ) and the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute , to help them test and implement emerging technologies in the soft goods manufacturing industry .
But ISAIC ’ s true focus is always on people and the planet , paying attention to diversity , equity and inclusion as well as responsible manufacturing practices and sustainability . They start their education process by offering a Fundamentals of Industrial Sewing and Production certificate , and their curriculum is being used by community colleges , other nonprofits and manufacturers in nine other states .
ISAIC offers paid apprenticeships for sewing personnel at all skill levels in their own factory . They also partner with industry leading soft goods manufacturers to help ensure that their production teams are trained in traditional skills with the latest technologies , they are paid a living wage with benefits and they have access to advanced training and upward mobility .
“ If people are not attracted to your industry , you have to look at why . When you understand why , then you can begin to change that ,” Guarino says . 6