The country of origin has become a hot topic issue. From politicians to consumers, you will find people talking about things made in the USA and so on.
So, when you are trying to break into a particular industry it is good to know where the factories are found. You need to know what standards to expect from your gym clothing manufacturers.
Luckily for you, we are here with all the deets you need on Under Armour factories. You will have the info you need to move to position yourself like them. Earn more sales in return.
Come on, let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
Under Armour Brand Story
Under Armour’s story began in 1996 with Kevin Plank. He was a former university athlete playing for the University of Maryland. The brand was born from his frustration. He had had enough of heavy, sweat-soaked cotton shirts under his jerseys.
So, he set out to find a solution designing moisture wicking athletic wear. Kevin started the company in his grandmother’s basement. And he was selling their fitness clothes from the trunk of his car.
They have since gained traction and grown into one of the largest athletic wear brands in the world. The apparel brand currently boasts an annual revenue of $5.7 billion.
This gym apparel manufacturers is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Under Armour fitness clothes manufacturing happens in China and other overseas eastern countries.
However, they have a facility in Baltimore. That is where a lot of Under Armour products are produced and tested. They do so to make sure that their products perform as expected.
Under Armour Factories Conditions
We’ve seen a growing focus on ethical practices and sustainability. This has informed customer preferences and manufacturing practices.
The company primarily outsources its manufacturing to overseas factories. Like many brands, this includes China, Vietnam and more.
That is because it is cheaper to manufacture in these countries. However, that also raises concerns about their working conditions there.
Legal issues:
The brand has not been involved in any legal disputes about the condition of the factories. Under Armour set a code of conduct that all its suppliers must adhere to. This standard extends from working conditions and labour practices to environmental care.
Audits:
Additionally, the gym clothing manufacturers does regular audits of all its manufacturing partners. That is how they ensure compliance with their set code.
Rating:
Although they make all these efforts, they are ranked as “not good enough.” That is not a legal designation. It is a qualitative assessment by ethical rating organizations.
Under Armor lacks enough transparency, according to the Fashion Transparency Index. They do not publish Gym clothing suppliers with info on labour practices, gender equality, and freedom of association.
Made in USA:
In 2017, the company launched an American-made product line. They did this with a 35,000-square-foot Baltimore production facility. This has been where their made in America clothes come from.
This facility passes all American production standards. Their aim is to appeal to eco-conscious customers.
COVID-19 issues:
COVID-19 significantly exposed the vulnerabilities in their supply chain. However, they have since recovered their factories fully running.
Material Selection:
Under Armour gear uses environmentally friendly materials like Recycled Polyester and hemp. Plus, it has made significant efforts to reduce chemical pollution from its production. They also strive to curb textile waste.
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Recommended Reading: How to Start A Gym Clothing Line: Key Steps
Where Is Under Armour Made?
Under Armour, as most of its manufacturing is spread out across Asia. That includes various countries like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. These countries often offer favourable production costs.
As of 2020 about 87% of the company’s footwear production was in these three countries. Under Armour has significantly diversified from China.
They have moved production to Vietnam due to consumer interests and prevailing standards. The country has proved to be competitive when it comes to global manufacturing.
Their fitness apparel is also made in these countries, with only a small part of their clothing being made in the US. Under Armour’s Supply chain is made up of tier-one assembly locations.
These include areas such as Bangladesh, Argentina, Cambodia, Brazil and China. That is where the final product is made.
The extreme diversification shows the company is committed to stability. They are likely to weather any storms due to this strength and flexibility. So, this gym wear manufacturers remains competitive even with rising demand and quality assurance needs.
Despite having many collaborators, they have no long-term agreements with any of them.
No manufacturer is required to keep on manufacturing for them for the long term. That gives them the flexibility that they have been using to expand their USA production.
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Recommended Reading: Catchy Gym Clothing Brand Name Ideas
Under Armour Factories vs Competitors
| Company | Headquarters | Founded | Revenue (2022) | Market Cap | Key Markets | Factory Locations |
| Under Armour | Baltimore, Maryland, USA | 1996 | $5.9 billion | $9.34 billion | North America, Europe | China, Vietnam, Indonesia |
| Nike | Beaverton, Oregon, USA | 1964 | $46.71 billion | $261.8 billion | Global | Vietnam, China, Indonesia |
| Adidas | Herzogenaurach, Germany | 1949 | $24.56 billion | $54.6 billion | Europe, North America, Asia | Vietnam, China, Indonesia |
| Reebok | Boston, Massachusetts, USA | 1958 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | North America, Europe | Vietnam |
Click to find more details about Top 6 Competitors of Under Armour.
People Also Ask About Under Armour Factories
1. Where do Under Armour get their materials from?
The company prioritizes renewable and recycled materials. So Under Armor sources all its materials from pre-approved supplies. About half of their fabric needs are located two by six suppliers. These are distributed across China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Mexico.
2. What manufacturing techniques does Under Armour use?
Under Armour Makes its products using additive manufacturing. This advanced technique allows them to prototype quickly and offer mass customization. They also use state-of-the-art cutting technology and threadborne. That allows them to shape, cut and assemble what they need with minimal waste.
3. Does Under Armour outsource production?
Yes, Under Armour does not own the manufacturing facilities overseas. They are outsourced to third-party manufacturers. As a result, it can build a business where it essentially manufactures little to nothing in-house.
4. How does Under Armour sell their products?
The brand distributes its product through online platforms, wholesale distributors, and retail stores. They also have lots of partnerships and celebrity deals that help push the products.
What’s Next
Looking to use the same strategy that Under Armor uses with its factories? JaceApparel is the way to go.
We offer a super creative design team that can create anything. Our state-of-the-art production facility ensures high-quality and competitive products.
The company sources its gym clothes materials ethically and sustainably from our vetted suppliers. You get steady stock levels with our great inventory management.
All this is supported by reliable shipping partners and strategically distributed warehouses. Get your products on time and satisfy market demand. Establish unmatched customer loyalty with us. Hit us up today!
Sources:
Harvard – Under Armour and Additive Manufacturing
Statista – Under Armour – statistics & facts
Investopedia – Top Under Armour Shareholders