“sewing is a skill and trade that has become a lost art in the United States, so finding skilled technicians is the single biggest challenge.”
Parallels and Challenges
Abbott cited parallels in manufacturing his helmet line and new flight suit line. It’s all about having the proper people, equipment, and processes in place to efficiently build a high-quality product. He says it’s fairly easy to focus on target areas to build a better flight suit, such as fading and stitching. However, there are a few challenges to doing it right. First, the cost of entering the market is higher in the form of high-tech equipment, materials, and quality labor.
Quality labor is hard to find here, Abbott says. “Sewing is a skill and trade that has become a lost art in the United States, so finding skilled technicians is the single biggest challenge.” In the Western Hemisphere, sewing talent pools are
74 Sep/Oct 2019
traditionally located in Mexico and Central America, but Abbott was determined to build the Sisley Evolution line in the good old USA. “We had to get creative in both our hiring and training in order to be able to meet demand for our flight suits, while at the same time maintaining quality.”
There is an extra price to pay for building a rugged, more durable flight suit in the U.S. — it’s more expensive. “We made a conscious decision to not chase the low- bid, budget flight suit work, but rather focus on working with customers willing to pay a little more for a higher-quality product that will last longer, which in the end will save the client money,” said Abbott. Apparently, many of Evolution’s clients agree with that sentiment as the company’s clients include
Maryland State Police, NYPD, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Aerial Machine and Tool recently became an Evolution distributor, too.
When it comes to helmet manufacturing, despite being a very competitive market, Evolution has seen success in carving its slice of market share by employing patience, being disruptive, and committing to serving the needs of pilots and crew members. The company is laying down big bets that this same formula will not only help it better serve its clients, but also grow its business for the long term.
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