Gerber Technology is proud to support the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI) with a donation of hardware systems and AccuMark® 9.0 software. FMI is in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corp.
CFDA’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative is an investment fund that will help New York City factories and production facilities grow and sustain their businesses through the acquisition of innovative equipment, advanced technology, worker training and professional development programs. During the inaugural round of funding, the initiative received 40 applications, which were narrowed down to 12 finalists – 7 of which received grants. Applications for the next round of CFDA’s FMI funding will be available in July 2014 on CFDA.com.
Mike Elia, President and CEO of Gerber, said, “New York City is an integral part of the global apparel and fashion industry. We have more than 400 customers in New York City and the apparel and fashion industries represent the largest portion of our global sales. This donation demonstrates Gerber's ongoing commitment to providing advanced technology and support to the FMI and, specifically, the apparel and fashion industry."
Andrew Rosen, CEO of Theory and a founder of the FMI program, said, “Gerber is one of Theory’s long-time automation solution providers. The company not only supplies cutting-edge software and hardware systems to apparel manufacturers, it also encourages companies to prosper by instituting best practices developed during its nearly 50 years in the business.”
Gerber’s support will enable the FMI to assist Create-A-Marker, a 30-person, family-owned business specializing in grading and marking; and In Style USA, a full-service production facility, offering fabric sourcing, cutting, and sewing capability.
Paul Cavazza, owner of Create-A-Marker, said, “Fashion is about timing. The hardware and software systems we receive as a result of this initiative will enable us to respond even faster to our customers’ demands.”
