About
Founded by John Sheils over 40 years ago, Pine Crest Fabrics has been at the forefront of material innovation for decades and stayed true to their roots. John’s son Tim, serves as the company’s current president. The family business provides quality, wholesale stretch fabrics, from compression fabric to sustainable materials. Pine Crest Fabrics is driven to help the industry grow for the future and to show suppliers can better connect to their existing and potential customers by leveraging digital technologies.
Since 1978, Pine Crest Fabrics has been an industry leader in stretch fabric for swim, dance, gymnastics, costume, yoga, and all activewear. Pine Crest protects their clients’ identities and feels strongly about the relationship they have with them; therefore, they don’t disclose any information about the brands they work with. But they do add “we enjoy seeing our fabrics at music festivals, yoga studios, and even in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue!”, says Amanda Blackman, Marketing Coordinator at Pine Crest Fabrics.
During 2020, the textile industry went through some dramatic changes and, as a result, a movement gained traction: sustainability. Sustainability is spotlighted in the fashion industry and pushes for a greener future for the industry as we enter a ‘new normal’. We are seeing more consumers choose to purchase from brands with sustainable products, a trend which then filters down the supply chain as brands look for sustainable materials and sustainable suppliers to satisfy their consumers.
Pine Crest Fabrics understands this need and prides themselves on sustainable practices; they stock fabrics that are certified eco-friendly, certified ethically sourced, and certified recycled. They follow multiple initiatives such as OEKO-TEX®, Bluesign®, Global Recycled Standard, MIPAN Regen, and REPREVE® to ensure practices and processes are adhered to and their materials are sustainably developed and produced. Pine Crest Fabrics also actively contributes to creating a waste-free industry by continually recycling heir waste and leftover materials to stay true to their eco-conscious roots.
“We enjoy seeing our fabrics at music festivals, yoga studios, and even in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue!”
Sustainability wasn’t the only trend to emerge during 2020; the digital transformation was seen as a silver lining during the height of the marketplace disruption and a way to continue to operate and fulfill the needs of consumers as well as prevent further uncertainty. Pine Crest Fabrics understood that by digitizing their material inventory, this would make them more accessible to a wider customer base and provide them with opportunities to collaborate with more customers and prospects. By going digital, Pine Crest is ‘digital ready’ for when more brands move to the digital product creation and sourcing of materials.
To further showcase their innovative products, Pine Crest took part in multiple digital shows including the Material Exchange powered Digital Material Show. There, they chose to present materials for the upcoming season and presented their latest print and activewear collections in 2D and 3D.
On the subject of digitalization, Blackman adds: “Pine Crest Fabrics embraces the industry’s digitalization by scanning fabrics and designing 3D garments so that customers can see the end product and the details of the materials within seconds. PCF uses software programs CLO3D and Illustrator. We see 3D tech-drawing becoming more mainstream due to the impact the fashion industry is facing from COVID-19.”
The ‘new normal’ has presented a need for rapid change, forcing businesses to move completely digital. Pine Crest was prepared to adjust, and continued to do research about the ever-changing industry climate. Live events began to move online, which initially pushed them to join a digital trade show. Participating in digital trade shows brings innovation to the industry and Pine Crest as they present private, custom digital material books. Their Fabric Specialists create digital material books that contain a pricing list, detailed information on lead times, certifications, and more! Customers enjoy viewing a custom book of fabrics tailored to their brand and future products, all found in the Material Exchange platform.
"Pine Crest Fabrics embraces the industry’s digitalization by scanning fabrics and designing 3D garments so that customers can see the end product and the details of the materials in seconds. PCF uses software programs CLO3D and Illustrator. We see 3D tech-drawing becoming more mainstream due to the impact the fashion industry is facing from COVID-19.”
As more businesses adopt digital methods of working, the uncertainty will subside. The main blockers preventing businesses in moving from analog to digital processes is a lack of knowledge around the subject. Digital doesn’t have to be scary – its positives hugely outweigh any negatives.
“As we navigate through these adjustments, we begin to embrace new technologies as well. Pine Crest Fabrics encourages brands to take steps toward tech since it influences the industry now and in the future.” concluded Amanda.
“As we navigate through these adjustments, we begin to embrace new technologies as well. Pine Crest Fabrics encourages brands to take steps toward tech since it influences the industry now and in the future.”
Pine Crest Fabrics is always innovating and adapting their products to suit the ever-changing needs of customers as well as end users and consumers. To kick off 2021, Pine Crest Fabrics will be launching their stocked product line, consisting of on-trend styles of recycled printed fabrics, recycled activewear fabrics, and swimwear prints.
