London-based manufacturer ApparelTASKER has expanded its services through the acquisition of outerwear specialist Panash Manufacturing and the launch of a new development and 3D sampling studio called Garmentology.

The company acquired Panash Outerwear, which is known for producing classic British outerwear and duffle coats, last year and has now moved into the larger Panash site, located moments from the existing site in Bromley-by-Bow in east London. This has allowed ApparelTASKERto increase its headcount to just over 50 people and expand its services to offer CMT (cut, make and trim) production with a heavy emphasis on swim, athletic and stretch, as well outerwear.

The expansion is in response to growing demand for UK production and ApparelTASKER’s unique approach to sustainable, ethical manufacturing. The company remains fully operational, complying with current government guidelines and distancing measures.

Garmentology, which will officially launch in the coming weeks, allows the company to work more efficiently with small fashion brands and start-ups which require technical development and sampling. The firm has a new team of 3D modelling technicians to work with the new sampling division using CLO 3D fashion design software.

“We have launched this new sampling studio due to increasing demand from start-up brands looking for low cost sampling and technical development,” explains ApparelTASKER founder Zack Sartor. “Now a new brand can come to us with a logo, a couple of designs and a few images – where they know what they want but have no idea how to get that on paper. They can sit with the team at Garmentology and transform those ideas into 3D in real time, to create a tech pack, which they can then bring to ApparelTASKER.

“There will be no more trial and error with tech packs, and it means we can send and receive patterns digitally, which opens up a world of possibility.

“Although this will be particularly beneficial for start-ups, it will also have huge benefits for the more established brands we work with and we will be rolling it out from April onwards.”

The new site – at 1 Bowood house, Empson Street – also features a 35-seater Italian kitchen/canteen called Polentina serving a new set menu each day, offering ApparelTASKER subsidised lunches. Find @polentinalondon on Instagram.

Read more about Zack Sartor and ApparelTASKER here.

Visit the ApparelTASKER website here

ApparelTASKER is a  UKFT member. Interested in becoming a UKFT member? Find out more about membership here.