Kitsbow: On A Mission To Make Riding Better, And To Make The Apparel Industry Better (Made In The USA) Artwork

Exploration Local

Come journey with us as we explore and highlight the people and places that make the Blue Ridge and Southern Appalachian Mountains special and unique. We explore the towns, trails, rivers, scenic byways, businesses, and people that fuel the life & adventurous spirit in these mountains. Listen in on this relaxed conversational style podcast as host Mike Andress interviews Authors, Business Owners, Photographers, Athletes, Adventurers, Travelers and Friends who have a deep connection to the outdoors and directly influence the culture of the Blue Ridge. We’ll even explore the many ways nature & the outdoors can positivity influence our health and well being.

All Episodes

Exploration Local

Kitsbow: On A Mission To Make Riding Better, And To Make The Apparel Industry Better (Made In The USA)

November 01, 2021 • Mike Andress • Season 1 • Episode 49

Send us a text

In 1975, 80% of the clothes Americans purchased were made in the USA, but in the 1980’s, the decline in American made apparel began. By the 1990’s almost no apparel was manufactured in the USA.

Western North Carolina fell victim to this overseas manufacturing trend. In the ’70s, there were five manufacturers operating within the limits of Old Fort. They made furniture and clothes and car parts, but they started closing in the ’80s, when the Old Fort Finishing Plant, a textile company, shut down its operations and let go 500 employees. The trend continued with most of the other manufacturers ceasing operations in the last two decades. But a new story is emerging. A modern-day renaissance really…and Kitsbow Cycling Apparel is an integral part of this resurgence.

In this episode, I sit down with David Billstrom, CEO of Kitsbow. We talk about the company moving their headquarters from Petaluma, California, to Old Fort, North Carolina, and the 60 new jobs the company has created to date. We also talk about why Old Fort was the perfect fit for this young company, and how they, along with Hillman Beer, sought to restore and convert the former Parker Hosiery Building into prime manufacturing space, and a destination pub that also serves remarkable locally sourced food. Kitsbow has since opened The Ride House, a retail space and café that serves as a meeting point for cyclists and a de-facto visitor’s center for people hiking and riding in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest.

We also talk about partnerships with the local community, offering careers vs jobs, as well as environmental and sustainability initiatives that are driven by their lean manufacturing & made to order approach.

Regardless of whether you are a mountain biker or not, I think you will enjoy learning about supply chain issues related to batch manufacturing, and how Kitsbow’s lean manufacturing of American made apparel is good for the environment and the economy.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Kitsbow
Kitsuma Mountain Bike Trail
Old Fort, NC
Old Fort Trails Project
Fonta Flora State Trail

Mike Andress, Host
Exploration Local Podcast
Email: mike@explorationlocal.com

Website: https://explorationlocal.com/
Instagram: explorationlocal
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/explorationlocal/

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

Podcast Website
Facebook
Instagram: explorationlocal