DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS 1926 www.parkhurst.ca Photography by: Thomas Ray E S TA B L I S H E D OUR STORY DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS Dorothea Knitting Mills was established in 1926 by Louis Borsook. At the time he was running a chain of Millinery stores. There is a story that a woman came in one day, tried on every hat in the store and when she left buying just one he exclaimed, “It is time to go wholesale”. For the first 15 years Dorothea only produced wool felt headwear, including their world-renowned berets. In 1940 they expanded to ladies sweaters and knitwear and the Parkhurst brand was born. Today the company produces over 75% of their products in two-world class manufacturing facilities in Toronto, Canada totaling almost 200,000 square feet. The remaining 25% is sourced around the world. Although Parkhurst may be the largest sweater and knit accessory producer in North America, their focus is still on the small boutiques and chains that have always been a healthy percentage of its sales With road reps, many of which have been with the company for over 20 years, Parkhurst products are found all over North America, Europe, Australia and Japan. In addition, larger chains and department stores rely on Parkhurst for core and special items and appreciate the diversity, quick turns and quality of their products. For Spring 2013 Parkhurst has created beautiful knitwear that can be worn to the office or with casual pants and jeans. The line includes lightweight crochets with a hand knitted look, striking intarsia designs and stripes utilizing novelty yarn as well as their famous 100% cotton, washer and dryer safe knitwear in a myriad of colours that only a company with their own dye house can produce. As always, attention to detail and the highest quality of workmanship is a requirement of every garment before the Parkhurst label is attached. Parkhurst has an in-house design team that understands how to create interesting and fashionable patterns and stitches and then incorporate them into knitwear that can be worn by almost all women. Parkhurst prides itself on being able to interpret the latest trends and directions for their customers. Now run by Steven Borsook, Louis’ grandson, Parkhurst is moving to expand their sales around the world but will never lose their commitment to combining fashion with quality for hundreds of customers (some of whom have carried their lines for over 50 years) throughout Canada and the United States. As Steven says “When I joined the company my grandfather told me it was not a gold mine but a coal mine and I better be prepared to work every day” Parkhurst is looking forward to the day very soon when they will be making and shipping on their 100th birthday. E S TA B L I S H E D 1926 www.parkhurst.ca OUR OPERATION DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS Dorothea Knitting Mills A TOTAL VERTICAL OPERATION Dorothea started over 85 years ago, with production of knitted felt berets. The company quickly expanded into the wide range of quality knitwear for which it is well known today: women’s sweaters, skirts, headwear (including the original beret) gloves and scarves. Private label programs include a wide range of products such as men’s sweaters, headwear, gloves and scarves. The company grew again in the year 2000 with the expansion into products such as throws, pillows and blankets in the Home Accent line and later expanded in 2005 with their Outdoor Edition division of fashion coats and jackets. In 1995 a second plant, consisting of 85,000 sq. ft. was added to help the company meet the growing demand for knitted products. In total, the two buildings house: the design centre; the private label sales force; showrooms; executive and administrative offices; stockrooms; yarn receiving, storage and testing; the dye house and lab; Fully Fashion and Cut & Sew Knitting; assembly and finishing. In 2001 a third plant was opened in the United States for U.S. military beret contracts. Dorothea Knitting Mills is facing the future with two major strategies in mind: Export, and Diversification. To meet the challenges of the marketplace, the company is working harder and smarter - to be on top of consumer demand. The team at Parkhurst can proudly boast that they have the widest variety of knit goods made by any facility E S TA B L I S H E D in North America. 1926 www.parkhurst.ca OUR PROCESS DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS Starting with the Yarn - Skein Winding for Yarn Dye - In-House Twisting A commitment to sourcing the latest yarns from around the world E S TA B L I S H E D 1926 www.parkhurst.ca OUR PROCESS DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS Parkhurst Lab & Dye House Lab Matching The Parkhurst lab will test their formulas using a variety of equipment such as a spectrophotometer for computer analysis of the shade’s colour depth, tone range and colour saturation level. In addition, a light box will be used to manually view the shade under a variety of light source ranges - varying from blue to yellow fluorescent light, incandescent and daylight readings. Lab Testing Additional tests will be done to determine whether the new formula will meet the high standards set by Parkhurst for shrinkage control, pilling, crocking and colour fastness to light and washing. The Dye House Hundreds of shades are currently on file for customer reference. Parkhurst is able to keep up with changing trends and continually add to the existing broad colour range. Parkhurst is capable of dying any yarn, from cashmere to acrylic, as well as the ability to garment-dye finished products. Yarn Dye: Parkhurst has the capacity to dye 5000 pounds per week. Dye House: Sample dye lots – between 10-13 pounds Production Dye Lots – up to 320 pounds Garment Dye: Parkhurst has the capacity to dye 6325 pounds per week. E S TA B L I S H E D 1926 www.parkhurst.ca OUR PROCESS DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS Production - Washed & Dried All production is washed and dried during the production process. In-House Design & Computer Programming We offer a sample and design team that provide you with styling from our lines - or develop product for your needs. Gerber and PAD Patternmaking - Programming to Knit Machine E S TA B L I S H E D 1926 www.parkhurst.ca KNITTING CAPACITY DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS The Knitting Process Shima & Stoll Flat Knitting Capacity: Flat / Full Fashion Knitting - 16,900 units/ week Headwear - 5,400 units/ week Gauges - Full Fashion & Cut & Sew: 3 Gauge - 2,250 units/ week 5* Gauge - 4,400 units/ week 7* Gauge - 6,450 units/ week 10* Gauge - 2,050 units/ week 14* Gauge - 2,050 units/ week *Convertible gauges E S TA B L I S H E D 1926 www.parkhurst.ca KNITTING CAPACITY DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS Full Fashion Looping - Quality Control - Cutting - Cut & Sew Assembly - Headwear & Accessory Assembly E S TA B L I S H E D 1926 www.parkhurst.ca CATEGORIES Women’s Headwear Berets Head Wraps Earmuffs Structured Felts Reversible Knits & Faux Furs Straws Women’s Sweaters Fine Gauge Jacquards Cables Pointelles Mesh Cardigans Novelty Men's Accessories Berets Gloves Military Berets Knit Scarves Felt Headwear Knit Toques Women’s Scarves, Wraps & Cover-Ups DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS Women’s Gloves Women’s Legwarmers Knits & Faux Furs Knits & Faux Furs Fingerless Gloves Glove Cuffs Knits & Faux Furs Boot Toppers & Cuffs Women’s Dresses Women’s Outerwear Women’s Rain Coats & Wind Breakers Knits Cut & Sew Novelty Fabrics Felts Faux Shearling Faux Furs Reversible Boiled Wool Vests & Jackets Novelty Men’s Sweaters Home Accents Fine Gauge Cardigans Jacquards Novelty Cables Knits & Faux Furs Throws & Pillows Reader Wraps Structured Trenches Novelty Fabrics Novelty Steering Wheel Covers Cell Phone Purse/ Wristlet Knit & Faux Fur Dog Coats Tech Accessories - I PAD Covers Blankets Throws & Pillows Knit Headwear & Scarves Knit Sweaters E S TA B L I S H E D 1926 www.parkhurst.ca E S TA B L I S H E D U.S. Corporate Showroom New York 1410 Broadway Suite 1706, 17th Floor New York, NY 10018 212-268-8252 (f) 212-268-8279 1926 Canada Head Office 20 Research Road Toronto, Ontario, M4G 2G6 1-800-268-0456 416-421-3773 (f) 416-421-9084 [email protected] www.parkhurst.ca
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