The role of a manufacturer is quickly evolving from a producer to a partner, as demands for differentiation drive brands toward companies that can support product development from start to finish.
South Korea-based original design manufacturer Hansae has been building up its design capabilities to meet the market and separate itself in a crowded factory field
Although adept at large-volume production, the garment maker is responding to sourcing strategy shifts, as brands seek out faster turnarounds and closer collaboration with their suppliers. In 2021—slightly more than a decade after opening its New York design office—the group added a design office in Barcelona, Spain, planting roots in Europe. More from WWD Currently, around 95 percent of Hansae’s business comes from the U.S.—with clients including major retailers like Gap Inc. and Carhartt—but Europe is quickly scaling.
Looking to accelerate this growth and narrow the reliance on the U.S. amid tariff uncertainty, the manufacturer is putting resources toward strategically expanding its European revenues. Per Hansae, it is the first and only South Korean firm to establish a research and development center in the EU, distinguishing it from its peers. Situated in a major retail and fashion district in Barcelona, the office puts Hansae closer to its European customers, allowing for easy visits for in-person collaboration.