Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2024 13 to China to be turned into garments before being imported back to the U.S. for sale. Now, he says, "not a single yard is shipped out of America." That includes fabric that was created for the blazers worn by the U.S. Olympic team in the last two summer games. The garments themselves were sewn by a small manufacturer in Queens, New York. Long is now working with Ralph Lauren on a full wool winter ensemble for the team for the 2026 winter games to be held in Cortina, Italy. He's also working with outer- wear manufacturers on high-value garments for the hunting community in various shades of buffalo plaid and even a camouflage weave. Long did not disclose financial details, but he says the new strategy has brought revenues to above pre-pandemic levels, and the company is now "very close" to profitability. But to take his vision to the next level, he needs help. Breaking 'old habits' The thing he wants to bring to life is a full New England luxury textile apparel ecosystem. "Today's apparel brands are so used to this full product supply chain sourcing, when they go to Italy, when they go to China, when they go to Vietnam," he said. That means having not just a mill that can make the textile, but a related ecosystem of cut-and-sew manufacturers that can turn out a line of garments to a designer or retail house's order. Long believes nearby Hartford could offer opportunity for a garment trade resurgence. And hence the recent tour. He's selling anyone who will listen on the concept of a new industry cluster in Connecticut. "He's selling the New England story, and that's what's really cool about it," said David Griggs, CEO of the Metro- Hartford Alliance after the tour. "It's a fabulous story that just elevates our region that much more. It seems like there's a significant opportunity here." Gene Goddard, the Alliance's chief business investment officer, agrees. "The vision that he has to build out the industry is amazing," he said. "We need to break our old habits, think about things differently and how we're going to rebuild or strengthen our economy and our marketplace." As a potential shortcut to building out what's currently a non-existent industry in Connecticut, Long has his eye on Manhattan's garment district, which, over decades of gentrification, is now finding it hard to justify using valuable real estate for clothing production. "The garment district is struggling," Long said. "And the idea for us would be to offer a hospitable location in Hartford that could basically take it in." He envisages New York firms being persuaded to move production and employment to Hartford, while main- taining design and marketing offices in Manhattan. He sees Connecticut's capital as a place where workers could afford to live, and where garment makers might find sewing skills among immigrant communities. "I want to shine the light on this industry," said Long. "We want it to be embraced." (From left) A carding machine at American Woolen opens up wool fiber clumps for further processing. The original Warren mill building, which now houses American Woolen was founded in 1853. Lung Cancer Screening at Trinity Health Of New England Lung cancer commonly affects people who are or have been heavy smokers. Trinity Health Of New England is here to help break old habits and give way to a healthier future. Our lung cancer screening services detect the early signs of cancer so you can receive treatment when it's more likely to be successful. We take extra steps to lower your risk of receiving a lung cancer diagnosis. Our complete approach includes monitoring of suspicious growths (lung nodules) and smoking cessation services. All of our locations follow national lung cancer screening guidelines, so you can count on us for appropriate testing and accurate results. We use special imaging tests (low-dose CT scans) to detect the earliest signs of lung cancer. A CT scan takes multiple pictures of your chest using low doses of radiation. Special technology combines the pictures to make detailed images that help us detect abnormal growths. Contact us to learn more at TrinityHealthOfNE.org/Lung.

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