Maverick garment maker decides to try out Mexico
PATRICIA BEST
pbest@globeandmail.com
April 3, 2014
Louis Garneau usually enjoys pedalling hard against the prevailing wind. The Quebec entrepreneur owns a thriving manufacturing business based in St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Que., that makes “technical” cycling, skiing and running clothing for the serious fitness buff. On Bike to Work Day, he pays his staff $5 each to do so, and cycles to the office himself.
So perhaps it comes as no surprise that a couple of weeks ago, in an interview in the newspaper Le Soleil, Mr. Garneau said he was transferring some of his clothing production out of China – and to Mexico.
Although he acknowledges that China is a paradise for mass production, he believes Mexico is a better proposition for middle-sized volumes.
“Everyone has placed their bet on China,” the garment maker said, “but we’re draining that lake – so for me, I prefer to look elsewhere.”
