The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center is helping Detroit become a force in the manufacturing industry through sewing.
Founded in 2018, the business became operational in April 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The center is a national fixture in the sewing trade and works to train workers on the skill of industrial sewing and its innovative career field.
Detroit’s ever-evolving economy is continually reinventing itself and its workforce. With cutting edge technology and a true investment in the city, Detroit’s potential for growth in niche markets is expanding. Industrial sewing is an opportunity that has seen growth in the city in recent years. The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center is helping to lead the charge.
Several decades ago, Detroit’s manufacturing industry was thriving. Carhartt was founded in Detroit in 1889 and was a driving force in the city’s manufacturing. However, as Detroit continues to do, the city began to progress and move in another economic direction. Now, a resurgence in the industry is happening and Detroit has its name in the races.
“Due to the industry going away several years ago, there is a big gap in the skills that are required for manufacturing. So, ISAIC was developed by a group of industry stakeholders that really designed it to be an institute of excellence that focuses on where the industry is heading by which you create new employment opportunities for Detroiters in an industry that is fairly new to the area,” says Jennifer Guarino, CEO of the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, or ISAIC for short.
Extending beyond clothing manufacturing, the industrial sewing industry incorporates many facets of everyday life. From the interior of cars to couch cushions, the industrial sewing wheelhouse is full of opportunity.
“The cut and sew trades in general, also goes beyond apparel. We train on, and what we teach people, are skills that’s can also be applied in other industries like the auto industry or interiors, medical, furniture and upholstery,” says Guarino. “There are so many skills that can transfer over to what we call soft goods or flexible goods.”
Through ISAIC, trainees will learn skill that can be applied in areas flexible goods. These items, unlike industries in steel and plastic, are able to retain their shape and require a different process for use. Trainees will also have the opportunity to join a Department of Labor apprenticeship program where students learn the fundamentals in a 192-hour class.
“That same class can be taken by anyone even if they don’t want to enroll in the apprenticeship. We’re finding entrepreneurs taking the course. Once you’ve taken the course, you can go into a 2000-hour apprenticeship program,” says Guarino.
The full scale facility housed inside of ISAIC allows students the hands-on training necessary to advance to a career in industry sewing.
“Going forward as we grow, we will be adding other corporate apprentice sites that they can also apprentice in,” says Guarino.
As Detroit continues to make a name for itself in the industrial sewing sector, major brands are eyeing the city as a fashion alternative to other well-established cities. Recently, Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta announced Detroit as the location for its next fashion show.
“We’re seeing a lot of brands interested in coming to Detroit because it is an alternative to New York or L.A, which has some challenges around being a supplier, like real estate. We are really presenting Detroit as an alternative that is innovative in its approach to manufacturing. Verses having to reconstruct a garment industry in New York, we can build it here as we believe it could be and should be,” says Guarino.
An industry leader in manufacturing, Carhartt got its start in Detroit in 1889. The family-owned and operated company sits on ISAIC’s board and has even created a space for the sewing company on the third floor of its building and has begun to invest in the company.
“Carhartt has an extraordinary corporate partner and they’re a great example of what happens when you work with a corporate sponsor with an aligned purpose,” says Guarino. “They have built out this space, they’ve donated dollars and equipment, and they’re starting to produce products at ISAIC. It’s a really extraordinary example of what happens when industry and a nonprofit can get together to solve industry solutions.”
Opening the economic opportunities for the city and its residents, ISIAC’s nationally available program is open to all who have a high school diploma or a GED-equivalent.
Photo: Jennifer Guarino, CEO of the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center
