The Canadian Press
Quartz, founded in 1997, has expanded from one to three factories this year, buying a pair of apparel producers in Montreal and Victoriaville, Que. “‘Made in Canada’ gives it credibility – especially when we’re talking about outerwear and cold-weather products – in the local and international markets,” Robert said.
The smaller scale and flexible production line also allow the label to manufacture a range of fits in an environmentally sustainable way, he said. Between 2010 and 2018, the number of Canadians in clothing manufacturing fell by 22 per cent to about 19,400, according to Statistics Canada. To stay competitive, manufacturers like Royer, a Quebec-based work-boot maker, seek out cutting-edge programmers who can marry sophisticated design with efficient production.