STAHLS’ in Sterling Heights, a global leader in garment decoration equipment, materials, and transfer technology, today announced it has acquired two new facilities in Macomb County to accommodate its rapidly growing business and expand current operations at its Manufacturing and Engineering Center (MEC) in Chesterfield Township.
The expansion marks the fourth and fifth facilities for STAHLS’ in Macomb County, with the company also operating a facility in St. Clair Shores and its global headquarters in Sterling Heights. STAHLS’ is known as a pioneer of innovation in the textile industry, providing apparel decoration for numerous brands, major retailers, and professional sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA.
“STAHLS’ provides apparel decoration for everyone from little league to the big leagues,” says Ted Stahl, executive chairman for STAHLS’. “You can’t pass a sports field (almost) anywhere in the world without seeing STAHLS’ product on the back of a t-shirt, jersey, or piece of athleisure and performance wear.”
MEC serves as STAHLS’ primary conversion and distribution warehouse in the U.S., housing a variety of purchasing, logistics, and product compliance personnel. The facility is also home to STAHLS’ U.S.-based R&D team, which is responsible for the formulation and testing of new materials and adhesives used in garment decoration.
“The demand for STAHLS’ products has skyrocketed over the last few years. Athleisure and performance wear decoration is a sector that has seen tremendous growth,” says Rick Genrich, vice president of supply chain for STAHLS’ and general manager for STAHLS’ MEC. “Our five year plan for the MEC facility quickly became a three year plan. Our expansion in Macomb County and the ability to triple our capacity will allow us to meet the growing demands of our customers.”
STAHLS’ new facilities will add more than 130,000 square feet of space to MEC’s existing operations at the 65,000 square foot facility in Chesterfield, which the company has occupied for nearly a decade. MEC is employing a phased approach in transferring equipment and personnel to its new facilities, starting with expansion to the New Baltimore facility last month and continuing with its second Chesterfield Township location within the next year.
“When MEC opened its doors nearly a decade ago, operations could only support fulfillment of 200 orders each day. As we’ve fortified our supply chain and improved processes, we now move an average of 1,750 orders through this facility to our customers around the globe each day,” says Dan Robinson, operations manager at STAHLS’ MEC. “Our new facilities will allow us to further streamline our business and improve efficiency for the on-demand and on-time fulfillment our customers expect from STAHLS’.”
MEC currently employees more than 185 people in Chesterfield Township, with additional personnel and satellite distribution facilities in Texas and Arizona.
As the company expands its footprint, it is also looking to fill a variety of skilled and unskilled trade positions. For more information, visit groupestahl.com/careers.
STAHLS’ operates strategically positioned manufacturing and distribution centers throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. The company’s innovations allow its customers — from small businesses and entrepreneurs to pro sports leagues and numerous brands — to brand virtually any uniform, t-shirt, accessory, and sporting good. For more information, visit groupestahl.com.
