Product development programmes.
End-to-end management for packs, luggage, tents, sleeping bags, technical apparel, and hardgoods. Concept to commercialisation.
One programme, from the first sketch to the first container.
A programme runs from design direction through material sourcing, factory selection, sampling, costing, and testing, to the production management that gets the product to market on the date the line plan needs it. One senior hand on all of it, with the factories already in the room.
Categories- Packs and active accessories
- Luggage and travel gear
- Tents
- Sleeping bags
- Technical and lifestyle outerwear
- Insulated and non-insulated garments
- Active knits
- Hardgoods
Construction decided at the tooling.
Stitchless and bonded construction was developed at scale for global clients from the Hong Kong factory group. The decisions that make it work are made early: which seams, which method, which factory has the tooling and the discipline to hold it in production.
Stitchless construction
Bonded and welded seams in place of sewn ones. Lighter, cleaner, and more weather-resistant where the design calls for it.
Molecular bonding
Three fusion methods supported: radio frequency, sonic, and thermal adhesive. Developed at scale for global clients from the Hong Kong factory group.
RF and sonic welding
Hardware-free closures, welded pockets and panels, and the tooling decisions that decide whether they survive production.
Fabric developed from the mill up.
Fabrics can be developed from the ground up to suit a programme, working directly with mills in Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan rather than through agents. Direct relationships shorten the cycle and keep the specification honest.
- Direct-to-mill relationships in Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan
- Proprietary fabric development from the ground up
- State-of-readiness programmes that cut development cycle time
- Solution-dye yarns and fabrics
Solution dye, by the numbers.
Solution-dyed fibre carries its colour in the polymer rather than on the surface of the fabric. The comparison below, per 10,000 yards of fabric, is the reason the process keeps coming up in sustainability conversations.
| Measure | Conventional dyeing | Solution-dyed fabric | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 (tons) | 5.769 | 2.143 | 63% |
| Water (kL) | 280 | 30 | 89% |
| Chemicals (kg) | 600 | 221 | 63% |
| COD (kg) | 154 | 49.95 | 68% |
| Energy (kWh) | 8,825 | 3,245 | 63% |
- Enhanced performance characteristics
- Reduced UV-A and UV-B degradation
- Colour consistency lot to lot
- Environmentally responsible processing
Tested before it ships.
Compliance is a programme decision, not a last check. Platforms are chosen for their certifications, materials are tested for what the destination market regulates, and the environmental claims are the ones the process can support.
Legal
REACH and WRAP certified platforms.
Material
Testing for lead and phthalates.
Environmental
Solution-dye processes where the programme allows.
“Their deep experience and knowledge, combined with thorough execution, has been invaluable in launching our ambitious line of new products. They know the process, and how to get things done.”
“CenterEdge was a keystone sourcing and design partner. Rich's leadership consistently improved quality and margins across nearly all targeted growth categories. I highly recommend him.”
“CenterEdge LLC has been a keystone design and sourcing partner during my outdoor career from 1995-2013. Kelty Packs, Pearl Izumi, Patagonia, and Prana were all recipients of the leadership of Rich Amodio and his talented team. As CEO of each of these firms it was always so comforting to know that I could rely on CenterEdge to work hand in hand with my inside operations and design team to come up with the optimum sourcing prescription. I am proud to say that in each of the company engagements we were able to increase quality and margins in almost 100% of the growth categories we focused on. Rich is a trusted professional and is highly recommended.”