While most North American garment production has moved overseas, Ferrara Manufacturing in Long Island City, N.Y., stands as a testament to the enduring value of American-made quality.
Ferrara-made apparel appears on runways in New York City, Paris and other world fashion centers. It is worn by American Olympians, celebrities and VIPs worldwide. A union-represented workforce maintains exacting quality standards while incorporating cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing and automated pattern-making. Soon, the company will launch its eponymous Ferrara label featuring made-to-measure, tailored suiting for men and women.
“Production overseas can be cheaper, but you don't get the same care, quality and craft that we produce here,” said Gabrielle Ferrara, Chief Operating Officer of the firm her parents CEO Joseph Ferrara and Carolyn Ferrara, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, founded in 1987. “They started the business to fulfill my mother’s dream of creating the highest quality and best-fitting clothes in the world.”
Steering the family business toward a prosperous future
After 33 years of producing high-end clothing for prestigious fashion brands in Manhattan's famed Garment District, the business faced a pivotal decision in 2020 amidst the quickly escalating pandemic: Stay put in the existing facility or expand into a larger one to support growth.
For Gabrielle, the answer was clear but achieving it would require solid financial support. That's when Ferrara's 20-year relationship with TD Bank proved invaluable. The company's expansion centered on acquiring and renovating a new, 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Long Island City. TD Bank's status as an SBA Preferred Lender and expertise in SBA loans became critical to realizing the company’s ambitions.
TD Bank worked closely with Ferrara to structure the financing appropriately, combining the SBA loan for the building acquisition with a flexible line of credit that could support both equipment purchases and day-to-day operations.
“Having TD Bank's support was essential; we really couldn't have done it without them,” Gabrielle explained. “Their team's deep knowledge of SBA loans helped us navigate the entire process all while we had to focus on keeping operations going.”
Adapting quickly to serve critical pandemic needs
The timing was especially sensitive because the pandemic’s supply chain disruptions highlighted the importance of domestic manufacturing capacity. As the pandemic widened that year, Ferrara Manufacturing demonstrated remarkable agility by pivoting to producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in New York City. Its existing TD Bank line of credit proved crucial for the company’s rapid response.
“We had to purchase material without having purchase orders in hand,” Gabrielle recalled. “When we decided to make PPE gowns, we were able to buy the materials, design a gown and start production. We were one of the fastest contractors to start making gowns for New York City.”
Salvatore “Sal” Guercio, Relationship Manager at TD Bank, admires the company’s expansion and continuing evolution toward an ever-more sophisticated business. “What impresses me most about Ferrara is that they're constantly fine-tuning their business, streamlining their manufacturing process, and always looking for ways to make their product better,” he said.
In turn, Gabrielle appreciates Sal's insights, trusted guidance and responsiveness. “If there's ever an issue, I know I can call Sal and quickly hear back from him,” she said. “He’s taken the time to know our business extremely well and having his direct access when questions come up is invaluable.”
Cultivating the next generation of manufacturing talent
Today, with 115 employees, Ferrara Manufacturing values their contributions and long tenures, the latter an indication of job satisfaction. “Many of our team members have been with us for over a decade — some for 25 years. Their skills and experience are invaluable and irreplaceable,” Gabrielle said.
As a center for apparel manufacturing innovation and education, the company is constantly investing in its future. For example, its technology investments extend beyond just production equipment. The engineering department uses 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and maintains multiple 3D printers that continuously produce custom parts to enhance their manufacturing processes. The plant uses laser engravers for metal and wood detailing and CNC cutters to cut clothing patterns with extraordinary precision.
This blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology has proven particularly appealing to young people who may be interested in manufacturing. “We've partnered with several schools to create apprenticeship programs to promote manufacturing as a rewarding career choice,” Gabrielle said. “Manufacturing might not have been as sexy an industry 15 years ago, but now young people can get really excited about it. There's this new wave of people wanting to see how their work interacts with the physical world, especially when they see our 3D printing and automation capabilities.”
In addition, through the Ferrara Foundation, Gabrielle and her family are working to preserve and promote apparel manufacturing in New York City through outreach, education and research.
“It's extremely rewarding to know that TD is helping the Ferrara family build their legacy,” Sal said. “They're paving the way not only for the next generation of fashion workers but also for the future of clothing manufacturing.”
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