Kitsbow announces 'devastating' closure

Old Fort manufacturer to cease operations in April

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 22, 2023

Mountain biking apparel manufacturer Kitsbow announced, March 21, it will close its operation in Old Fort. Photo by Fred McCormick

Old Fort-based mountain bike apparel company Kitsbow, which moved its operation to the town in 2019, announced, March 21, it will cease operations next month.

The company, which employees 41 people, will shut down production on or about Friday, April 7, it said in a detailed statement on its website.

“It is devastating and disappointing – in ways that words cannot possibly convey. Terrible for our community Old Fort and McDowell County, N.C.,” the release said. “In each of the past three years, Kitsbow injected an annual payroll of approximately $2 million dollars into a rural town previously in economic decline for 30 years. Our presence sparked a resurgence of employers – two manufacturing operations have since followed to Old Fort, adding more jobs to the local economy.”

The 11-year old company moved from Petaluma, California to its current downtown location in the renovated Parker Hosiery building. Kitsbow was purchased by its employees in January, 2022, but was unable to raise adequate capital in the subsequent months, according to the statement.

“Specifically, our recent Community Round of Financing (via WeFunder) raised about 50% of the $1 million target,” Kitsbow announced. “While we used what we raised to launch new marketing programs and cover some operating expenses, we really needed the full $1 million to survive and grow.”

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kitsbow was among the earliest companies to pivot its manufacturing operations to supply PPE for first responders and medical professionals. The company distributed more than 60,000 masks during that time.

Production will continue for approximately 10 days, as the manufacturer fulfills existing orders.

“Our apparel industry is deeply broken, and like to think we were showing that there was a different way: made local, respecting artisan skills, paying a Living Wage, and working together as a community,” the organization said in its statement signed by CEO David Billstrom and the team at Kitsbow. “Our crew made 17,000+ garments during 2022 right here in the U.S. and we humbly hope that we have changed minds about the way clothes have to be made, and by whom.”