Karachi-headquartered denim fabric and garments manufacturer Artistic Milliners has acquired a denim factory in Commerce, California, with plans to invest in the facility to grow it into a state-of-the-art design and production hub based on Supply Chain 4.0 principles. The new factory expands the company’s global footprint and accelerates its speed-to-market capabilities.

Under the new name Star Fades International (SFI), the business continues to provide wash and finishing services.

SFI founder and Artistic Milliners executive director Murtaza Ahmed told a Pakistani newspaper the acquisition gave the company a strategic foothold in the United States, in a region with significant geographic and demographic advantages.

“California has historically been an important cornerstone for the international denim industry. In 2021, we anticipate increased demand from international retailers and brands for near-shoring capacity, digital design services and sustainable solutions. Our investment in this factory gives us a launch platform to meet that demand as we build the factory of the future,” he was quoted as saying.

The facility currently offers a range of wet and dry processing capabilities, as well as sustainable finishing technologies, including lasers, e-flow and ozone machines, to create authentic and innovative finishes while reducing the amount of water and chemicals used in a typical denim laundry.

SFI is backed by the robust vertical offerings of its parent company.