AAG recently earned B Corp Certification after a rigorous two year journey

Active Apparel Group (AAG) offers premium end-to-end solutions in the design, development, production, and distribution of technical performance apparel. Known for impeccable craftsmanship, AAG customers receive the benefit of over 35 years of deep technical expertise in performance textile development, garment engineering, design, and manufacturing. With a comprehensive network that reaches across the globe (Asia, USA and Europe), AAG innovates and sources fabric from some of the world’s leading textile suppliers. Henry Jones, CEO, Active Apparel Group, in this interview with Divya Shetty, discusses the latest trends and consumer preferences in activewear.

What key factors contribute to your Activewear manufacturing process, and how do you ensure that your products meet the evolving needs of consumers in a competitive market?

We adhere to three key pillars: Craftsmanship, Innovation and Solutions. With our unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and quality, we offer within our wholly owned centre of Excellence factory, in house bonding, laser cutting, quilting and beyond. We pride ourselves on our Innovation Lab where we R&D forward thinking approaches, i.e.: water based printing and avoidance of chemical usage, full recycling of fabric offcuts in our facility, thermoregulating fabrics to dovetail with macro environmental challenges, low environmental impact materials, and investing in our future.

To further satisfy the needs of our partners, we offer an array of  tailored solutions to meet each of their needs, i.e., fabric sourcing and development, technical design, full garment design, product development and finally pick & pack/logistics.

As demand for high-performance fabrics continues to grow, how does Active Apparel Group approach the development of technical stretch fabrics and performance textiles that deliver both comfort and durability for active wear?

We have specialised teams with deep technical expertise in sourcing and fabric development that enable us to stay ahead of consumer demand and also satisfy the specific requests of our partners.

We are proactively scouring the planet for the latest fabric innovation, down to the fibre level so that we can bring that innovation to our partner brands helping them to create beautiful, market relevant, yet innovative products to drive their growth and differentiation.

With athleisure becoming a dominant segment globally, what are the current market trends you observe in swimwear and activewear? How do you foresee the market evolving in the coming years, especially with the increasing focus on functionality and style?

Athleisure has become an expansive market; we see a rising demand to empower ‘everyday athletes’ and enhance human performance, a great indicator of this is 6 of the top 10 highest-valued single apparel brands are in Sports Athleisure​. There is a real focus on health and wellbeing that is not going away.

The rise of technical, human-performance-enhancing apparel is reshaping the market​ and will continue to do so.

Today’s consumer is super savvy and expects more functionality out of their apparel without sacrificing design and comfort. It is the blending of the two that will set our partners and us apart.

As India’s athleisure market grows, how do you evaluate its potential compared to other global markets? What specific strategies does Active Apparel Group have in place to cater to the unique preferences of Indian consumers?

The Indian market shows huge potential and whilst Active Apparel is a global organisation with reach across Europe, the United states and Australia –  As it stands today India is untapped by us – but certainly a market we would love to explore in the future.

Sustainability in textile manufacturing is more crucial than ever. How is Active Apparel Group incorporating sustainable practices, particularly in the production of performance fabrics and swimwear?

Sustainability and our environmental impact is something we take very seriously and, AAG recently earned B Corp Certification after a rigorous two year journey.

B Corp certification is independently verified by B Lab, a global nonprofit organisation, which ensures rigorous external validation of a company’s social and environmental performance which reflects our dedication and commitment to social responsibility, environmental sustainability and ethical practices.

We have also developed ambitious programs designed to tackle the big issues that confront us now and in the future, like our use of reprocessed fabrics and using biodegradable materials that will disappear from the planet over a period of several years. We recycle almost 100 per cent of fabric offcuts in our factory, we have measured our carbon impact across our business and have set reduction targets.

We see these practices as crucial across all aspects of our business and help to set the standard for us and our partners.

Which emerging segments within athleisure wear do you believe have the greatest growth potential? How is Active Apparel Group positioning itself to capture these opportunities, especially in the face of changing consumer preferences?

Consumers embracing active, healthy lifestyles seek versatile, high-quality apparel that supports wellness and transitions seamlessly between fitness and daily life, blending functionality, comfort, and style is something we are specialized and experienced in. Our customers choose us as experts in manufacturing performance/stretch apparel and that crosses over from typical athletic wear to commuter wear, as the consumer is seeking “comfort” in all aspects of their life.

How would you assess Active Apparel Group’s performance in recent years, and what steps are being taken to expand your global presence, particularly in markets such as North America, Europe, and Asia?

We are incredibly Proud of AAG and how we have positioned ourselves as a leading manufacturer of performance and lifestyle apparel for global premium brands. We have a focus on our long term growth strategy to maintain our position as a premium provider of high-quality performance apparel across the USA, Europe/EMEA and Australia and deepen our relationships within these geographies and beyond.

What are the key strategic goals for Active Apparel Group over the next 3-5 years? How do you plan to remain at the forefront of innovation in the swimwear and athleisure wear industries?

As mentioned above, we ascribe to three main pillars.

Innovation and craftsmanship to be a trusted partner in driving innovation, and delivering unique, differentiated and quality products, with seamless execution, efficient and on time delivery.

Continue to provide bespoke solutions to meet our customer needs.

Drive profitable growth through streamlined operations, and cost competitiveness for us and in turn our customers.

By operating within these principles, we will remain in the forefront of what we do now and in the future.