WINNIPEG – Dani Reiss says Canada is more than part of the name of the parkas his company produces.
“We believed people cared, that made in Canada was important,” the president and CEO of Canada Goose told Global News on Tuesday morning. “It’s important not only in Canada, but it’s important around the world.”
Reiss is in Winnipeg for the opening of its new manufacturing facility, which doubles the firm’s production capacity in the city.
Canada Goose made a decision 10 to 12 years ago, despite the trend toward sending apparel manufacturing offshore, it would continue to make its products in Canada and make that a strength of the brand.
“We believe in things being real,” Reiss said. “They have to have a soul.”
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There are 160 employees working for Canada Goose in Winnipeg, and the firm plans to increase staff by 20 per cent over the next year.
Canada Goose bought the Engineered Apparel garment factory on Edwin Street near the Disraeli Freeway in 2010. The new building on Bannatyne Avenue more than doubles the factory size to 57,000 square feet.
Chuck Davidson, vice-president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, noted the garment manufacturing industry has been on the decline for many years, so any news of expansion is good.
“This is tremendous for that industry,” Davidson said.
A major company with a good reputation, solid product and longevity setting up shop in Winnipeg is good news for the city as a whole, he added.
“It’s great for the business community.”
Canada Goose is a Toronto-based third-generation family-run business – Reiss is the grandson of founder Sam Tick. Its profile has risen as celebrities have been spotted wearing the jackets on streets and on film.
Reiss pointed to Winnipeg’s strong history of textile manufacturing as a reason the company chose the city when expanding.
“Winnipeg has always been such a hotbed of apparel manufacturing,” he said. “It’s a perfect place for us to be.”
Reiss said the style of parka he wears in Winnipeg depends on the weather, as he has several, but if he had to pick one, he’d recommend the Chateau for men and the Trillium for women.
“Pretty much anything in our Arctic collection will suffice,” he said.
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