Orange County’s largest apparel companies showed they aren’t immune to the ongoing headwinds facing the apparel industry as local employment in the 12 months through March fell slightly for the second year.
The 53 companies on this week’s Business Journal list decreased employment numbers, but only by 0.49% to a combined workforce of 8,243. Staffing companywide inched up 1.1% to 37,725 employees. Last year, OC-based employment of the 54 biggest apparel companies dropped 5% to 8,593 workers.
On this year’s list, two companies trimmed staff, six added, three remained flat and the remaining 42 are Business Journal estimates. The list includes companies with five or more employees.
There were two newcomers, and three companies dropped off. Alstyle, a unit of Canada-based Gildan Activewear, shuttered its distribution center in Anaheim and laid off 81 workers. Dragon Crowd Apparel LLC moved its headquarters from Costa Mesa to Los Angeles. AmeriThreads Inc. in Buena Park is no longer in business.
Two companies debuted on the list. Santa Ana-based manufacturer of arc flash and flame resistant apparel Benchmark FR, No. 42, climbed 110%, doubling staff to 23. No. 51, Costa Mesa-based organic womenswear label KESTAN grew its ranks to six OC employees from last year’s staff of four.
Future so Middlin’
Eyewear and apparel maker Oakley Inc. stayed at No. 1 with 1,400 full-time employees. It operates two facilities at its U.S. headquarters in Foothill Ranch, primarily manufacturing and product development.
Starting in mid-2016, Oakley cut jobs after restructuring its business under parent company Luxottica Group SPA. The Italian firm now handles the label’s optical and fashion frames business.
In February, U.S. and European regulators approved the $58 billion merger of Luxottica with French lens manufacturer Essilor International SA. The eyewear giant, to be known as EssilorLuxottica, is waiting on approval from regulators in China. The merged companies are projected to have an estimated $21 billion in annual revenue with more than 140,000 employees, according to Luxotica Chairman Leonardo Del Vecchio.
• No. 2, Hybrid Apparel in Cypress, remained flat with 750 employees, based on Business Journal estimates. Led by founder and Chief Executive Jarrod Dogan, the company supplies branded, licensed and private-label apparel for partners such as Nickelodeon, Levi’s and Reebok.
• No. 4, Irvine-based luxury knitwear label St. John’s Knits International Inc., cut its OC staff by 14.8% to 511.
It’s been making adjustments to its manufacturing process that resulted in layoffs of part-time and full-time employees, according to company officials. The brand also moved its flagship store at South Coast Plaza after more than 20 years to Fashion Island in February. Chief Executive Bruce Fetter said in a statement that the boutique ushers in its “newest lifestyle concept store” inspired by “quintessential California living.”
• Boardriders Inc. in Huntington Beach bumped up one spot to No. 7 with an estimated 300 employees, tying Cypress-based swim and active wear manufacturer Manhattan Beachwear Inc. Boardriders lost President Pierre Agnes shortly after announcing a deal to acquire Australia-based competitor Billabong International Ltd. in January. Agnes went on a routine fishing trip in southwestern France but later that day his boat washed ashore empty. He’s still missing.
He was succeeded by Chief Executive David Tanner in February.
• Boot Barn Holdings Inc. in Irvine grew its OC staff 23% to 220, and companywide employees increased 12% to 3,509 employees—leapfrogging four spots to land at No. 12. The retailer, known for its workwear and Western boots, has been riding high and bucking the trend the last five years, increasing revenue from $233 million in 2013 to about $629 million last year. Chief Executive Jim Conroy said this month that the chain will expand its presence to Canada, Australia and South America. Firm oil prices are always a boon to its business.
• San Clemente-based sock and underwear maker Stance Inc. came in at No. 17 with 141 employees, up one spot from last year. Its socks have graced professional athletes, celebrities and even heads of state, such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has flashed Stance’s Star Wars-themed socks on several occasions.
The venture capital-backed company has raised about $116 million from firms such as San Francisco Bay Area’s August Capital, Shasta Ventures and Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers LLC.
• Laguna Beach jewelry company Gorjana & Griffin Inc. jumped a shiny 11 spots to No. 26 with 83 employees.
The label plans to open as many as seven stores this year, boosting staff and revenue. Founded by husband-and-wife-duo Jason Griffin and Gorjana Reidel, the company sells its delicate pieces wholesale to department store giants like Nordstrom Inc. and Bloomingdale’s, as well as online and through its branded shops.
• No. 37, sleepwear and loungewear manufacturer P.J. Salvage in Irvine, decreased OC staff by 25% to 30, based on Business Journal estimates. The company had its first management shakeup since 1997 when it named Simon Cohen president in November. Chief Executive Peter Burke, who bought the company out of bankruptcy in 1997, chairs its board of directors. It was acquired by Israeli firm Delta Galil Industries Ltd. in 2015 for an estimated $41 million. Delta owns apparel brands Splendid, Ella Moss and 7 For All Mankind.
