Blog

  • Quick Feat Welcomes Sierra Willard and Thanks Darrell Kirk (12/18/2023) - We have some big news to share going into the new year… Quick Feat's current U.S. Managing Director, Darrell Kirk, will be leaving at the end of December to pursue his passion as an Executive Coach and Facilitator. Darrell joined Quickfeat at the beginning of the pandemic and represented the company through a trying time, attending industry trade shows and customer meetings. We want to take this opportunity to thank Darrell for his contributions and wish him a fond farewell as he embarks on his new career! With Darrell’s departure approaching, we are excited to announce the addition of Sierra… Read More...
  • Hong Kong Team Helps Food Angel (12/18/2023) - The Hong Kong team volunteered at a non-profit called Food Angel once again during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, preparing meals to distribute to underprivileged communities. Food Angel “rescues edible surplus food from different sectors of the food industry that would otherwise be disposed of as waste. Following strict safety protocols, the rescued food items will then be prepared as nutritious meals in our central kitchen and be redistributed to serve the underprivileged communities in Hong Kong.” “It’s nice to be back volunteering at Food Angel with our team,” said Justina Chan, Quick Feat Partner. “It reminds us how much hard… Read More...
  • Quick Feat USA Supports The Edible Hope Kitchen’s Annual Fundraiser (12/1/2022) - Quick Feat’s USA office is proud to continue its support of The Edible Hope Kitchen in Seattle. We donated the stage lighting, audio equipment, and tech support needed for their Annual Fundraiser. The Edible Hope Kitchen serves more than 100 hot and nutritious meals a day and provides hope and support to people in need in the Seattle area. Darrell Kirk, Managing Director of Quick Feat North America is on the Advisory Board and excited about the year ahead as Edible Hope finds a new home. Read More...
  • A Year of Fabric Shows and Sustainability (12/1/2022) - Darrell Kirk of the Quick Feat USA office was busy this year attending several fabric shows, including the Functional Fabric Fair (Spring and Fall Shows) as well as The Materials Show. Both shows took place in Portland, OR, and have grown significantly in the last couple of years. “I have attended The Materials Show for over twenty years, and I am delighted to see the robust shows that Hisham and Carrie continue to put together each year,” noted Kirk. Both shows provide an important opportunity to see the latest in sustainable fabrics, processes, and trims. Several sustainable fabrics and fibers… Read More...
  • Quick Feat Hong Kong Team Volunteers During Thanksgiving Holiday (12/1/2022) - Eighteen members of our Quick Feat Hong Kong team participated during the Thanksgiving holiday by volunteering at the charity, Soap Cycling. Soap Cycling is a social enterprise with operations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, and China. They support disadvantaged communities across Asia by recycling lightly used soap and bottled amenities from hotels that would otherwise go to waste. Since the start of the pandemic, Soap Cycling has extended their services to ensure equitable access to soap for frontline workers and underprivileged communities. “Our team was able to learn more about various ways to save the planet next time we stay… Read More...
  • Quick Feat Attends Stio Ten Year Anniversary (12/1/2022) - It was an honor to attend Stio’s Ten-Year Anniversary in Jackson, Wyoming, in September. More than 100 people were in attendance, including many industry friends and suppliers.    “It seems like just yesterday that I visited founder, Steve Sullivan, and a handful of other employees at the Stio office when they first started the brand. Ten years later, it was incredible to see the entire Stio team gather for a group photo at the event,” said Quick Feat Managing Director, Darrell Kirk. Stio Ten-Year Anniversary group photo    Stio Ten Year Anniversary Event: Noah Waterhouse, President & COO at Stio… Read More...
  • Quick Feat Publishes FW24 Trend Book (12/1/2022) - Quick Feat’s Hong Kong team spent the summer working on the FW24 Trend Book. The FW24 Styling & Design Guide and Trend Book showcases the latest in sweater design and technical construction and is a great reference for our partners. In addition, this year’s guide features several sustainable yarns and knit samples, including exotic feedstocks using oyster shells, tea leaves, and even fish skin. Photo shoot for the FW24 Trend Book A few pages from the FW24 Trend Book Read More...
  • Quick Feat Attends the Textile Exchange Colorado Conference (12/1/2022) - Quick Feat is a founding member of the Textile Exchange, and it was an honor to attend the Textile Exchange Colorado Conference 2022, November 14-18. A key takeaway from the conference was the need for collaboration and cooperation across brands, organizations, and individuals in their sustainability journeys. Industry leaders who spoke at the conference also stressed that sustainability needs to be implemented and led by brands and suppliers, and not the consumer. Read More...
  • Quick Feat Team Travels to USA and Canada (12/1/2022) - After two years of Zoom meetings, it was nice to reconnect in-person with some of our partners in the USA and Canada this Fall. Many of our partners are still working from home, and we look forward to visiting with them in-person soon. One of the highlights of the trip was the warm reception we received in South Carolina on the eve of Hurricane Ian approaching. We narrowly escaped leaving Charleston a day before the storm hit, and were relieved to hear that all was well in this beautiful town after the storm. Travel has been especially difficult in and… Read More...
  • Quick Feat Seattle “Gives Big” to the Edible Hope Kitchen (8/2/2022) - Quick Feat’s Seattle office is proud of its continued support of the Edible Hope Kitchen in Seattle during 2022. We recently participated in “Washington Gives Big” and used the opportunity to recognize the incredible contributions of the Edible Hope Kitchen and its staff and volunteers to those in need every day. One of those people is Sara Bates, Director of the Edible Hope Kitchen, who recently left after many years of dedicated and life-saving service to the guests of the kitchen. She was a friend to many in the neighborhood. To honor Sara and the Edible Hope Kitchen, Quick Feat… Read More...
  • SheFly Apparel: All Genders Feeling Comfortable, Safe, and Confident (8/2/2022) - Quick Feat is proud to work with SheFly Apparel, a brand on a mission to design products that make the outdoors more accessible for all. Their signature product is the three-season Go There™ Pant, which features a second, patented zipper (in addition to a traditional zipper) that allows the wearer to ‘answer nature’s call’ and relieve themselves in the outdoors, without exposing themselves to the elements or other people. Quick Feat started its partnership with SheFly during the pandemic when COVID caused their factory to close. In addition, global supply chains collapsed, pausing their intended production of pants indefinitely. In… Read More...
  • Quick Feat Attends Outdoor Retailer Summer 2022 (8/2/2022) - Quick Feat is no stranger to the Outdoor Retailer Show, both as a visitor and exhibitor, and it was an honor and a privilege to attend again this summer in Denver, where the show celebrated its 40th year serving the outdoor industry! The show was well attended and substantially larger than last year’s show. The pandemic disruption afforded a lot of opportunity to new brands that exhibited for the first time. Of note was the trend in sustainable fabrics and processes that has taken center stage in our industry.  Of the 600 exhibitors in attendance, over 190 were new to… Read More...
  • Darrell Kirk Attends Functional Fabric Fair in Portland (12/13/2021) - Darrell Kirk, Managing Director of North America, from the Quickfeat Seattle team had the opportunity to attend the Functional Fabric Fair Portland in-person November 17-18. He was excited to meet with several customers and suppliers during the two-day show. “I’m glad we have stayed connected during the pandemic via Zoom, but it was fantastic to meet in person and catch up after more than two years,” said Kirk. "The pandemic has changed so much in our industry, but it has also brought us so much closer together as we have all been impacted somewhat equally. We’re all doing what we… Read More...
  • Quickfeat Teams in Hong Kong and Seattle Help Feed Those in Need During the Pandemic (12/13/2021) - The Quickfeat teams in Hong Kong and Seattle were fortunate to be able to give back during the pandemic. Both teams recently participated in “food rescue” and feeding programs in each country to provide food to those in need. On Thanksgiving Day, Quickfeat’s team in Hong Kong worked with Food Angel to prepare meals and lunch boxes in two different locations in the city. Quickfeat Team A prepared over 6,882 meal sets in the Harvest Mill Kwun Tong Kitchen and Team B prepared over 2,500 lunch boxes at the Sham Shui Po Center Kitchen. Food Angel rescues edible surplus food… Read More...
  • Quickfeat Attends Lululemon Virtual Vendor Summit (11/30/2020) - (December 1, 2020) - The Quickfeat team (including Darrell Kirk, Managing Director; Justina Chan, Partner; Alan Lin, Quickfeat Merchandising Manager for Lululemon; Ivy Wong, Quickfeat Sweater Designer, and Nadia Hung, Quickfeat COO) attended Lululemon's first-ever Virtual Vendor Summit in October. The highlight of the summit was a deep dive into Lululemon’s vision for the future in its “Three Interconnected Pillars,” each with stated vision, goals, and commitments to Be Human, Be Well and Be Planet. “Lululemon’s commitment to Be Planet is exciting and it’s in alignment with Quickfeat’s values and vision, where support of our environment has been an ongoing initiative. We look forward to… Read More...
  • Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Merchandiser Francis Wo (11/26/2020) - NAME: Francis Wo TITLE: Merchandiser YEARS AT QUICKFEAT: 7 (since 2013) JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Daily communication with buyers and factories from development to bulk production. PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: Senior Merchandiser for Linkeast World Limited. Responsibilities included daily communication with buyers and factories from development to bulk production; managed and trained merchandising team in China office; and sourced factories for Panama market. EDUCATION: Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Control Engineering) PERSONAL INTERESTS (OUTSIDE WORK): Enjoying time with my family, especially my newborn daughter. FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING FOR QUICKFEAT: Quickfeat always gives me opportunities to grow my working experience and my colleagues are… Read More...
  • Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Merchandise Manager Alan Lin (6/22/2020) - NAME: Alan Lin TITLE: Merchandise Manager YEARS AT QUICKFEAT: Since 2008 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Daily communication with customers, from development stage to production. Lululemon Lead Merchandiser. PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: Company: Hong Tai Travel Services Ltd Title: Tour Guide and Coordinator Duties: Travel with the tour group and monitor the oversea company to ensure they provide the services they had offered. EDUCATION: Secondary school PERSONAL INTERESTS (OUTSIDE WORK): Running 3-4 times per week, likes the 10K distance FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING FOR QUICKFEAT: My colleagues are kind and friendly. THING YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF ABOUT WORKING FOR QUICKFEAT: “I like to… Read More...
  • Learn About Kniteracy Asia Company Limited: Quickfeat’s Cambodia Sweater Factory (6/22/2020) - Quickfeat has recently expanded our factory base to Cambodia. Kniteracy Asia Company Limited is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a focus on manufacturing fully-fashioned sweaters and accessories. This expansion provides our customers an additional country of origin option, potentially resulting in extra duty savings depending on the destinations. At the same time, customers can be assured that all products meet Quickfeat’s usual high-quality and delivery standards. Quick Factory Specs: 6500+ SQM; 150 workers; 200,000+ piece monthly capacity Produces high-quality, fully-fashioned sweater knits Investments of more than $3M USD Cover variety of gauges, from 3gg-14gg Certifications: BSCI; Sedex SMEDA 4-Pillar Read More...
  • Introducing Darrell Kirk, Quickfeat’s Next Managing Director of North America (6/22/2020) - Glenn Willard has decided to step back from Quickfeat USA at the end of the year and hand over the reins to Darrell Kirk, a long-time icon in the outdoor industry. At that time, Darrell will become Quickfeat’s new Managing Director of North America. Until then, Darrell and Glenn will work closely to ensure a seamless transition. Customers can expect Quickfeat’s stellar service, communications, and quality of work to continue. Darrell has worked in the apparel industry since 1992 when he helped start a small apparel manufacturing company called Kitzbuhel Apparel Manufacturing in Seattle. Polartec Fleece was on fire at… Read More...
  • How the China Tariffs Could Affect Your Business and What to Consider (6/7/2019) - A Note from Quickfeat Partner, Glenn Willard With all the recent chatter about the China tariffs, and the majority of Quickfeat’s account base uncertain about what may happen, here are a few things to consider. If one is considering sourcing simple, mass produced, high quantity garment production, and cost is the number one consideration, there are plenty of South Asia countries willing to produce these garments outside of China. The big questions are: Is the factory socially and environmentally compliant? Do they care? What are their company initiatives? Is the factory partner willing to produce smaller quantities? Do they have… Read More...
  • Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Sourcing Manager Sheby Kwok (4/3/2019) - NAME: Sheby Kwok TITLE: Sourcing Manager YEARS AT QUICKFEAT:  18 years JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Outsource factory and fabric sourcing, material technique and compliance WORK EXPERIENCE (COMPANY, TITLE, DUTIES): I’ve had experience in the field of garment production since I was teen. In the 80s, my eldest sister owned a garment factory called Domain Diversify Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong. The factory specifically manufactured high fashion garments for women. Their customers included Norma Kamali, Dior and some small brands for the global market. After school, I often went to the factory to do homework. I loved to walk around every department and… Read More...
  • Account Spotlight: Carbon2Cobalt Says Partnership with Quickfeat Feels Like Family (4/3/2019) - Our second Account Spotlight features our 11-year partnership with Carbon2Cobalt. We recently asked Denice Dir, Design Director, Men's and Women's Apparel, what makes the partnership so special. ACCOUNT NAME: Carbon2Cobalt EMPLOYEE NAME: Denice Dir TITLE: Design Director, Men’s and Women’s Apparel NUMBER OF YEARS WORKING WITH QUICKFEAT: 11 Years WHAT SERVICES DOES QUICKFEAT PROVIDE FOR YOUR ACCOUNT? Quickfeat develops and makes gorgeous knit sweaters for us, a signature category of our collection.  They also produce our woven shirts, pants and cut and sew knits. We are visited at least twice annually to review our wide assortment of in-process product development… Read More...
  • Photo Journal: Quickfeat Team Learns How to Use Shima Seiki’s 3D CAD System (1/22/2019) - The Quickfeat team recently traveled to Shima Seiki's training center to learn how to use the new 3D Apparel CAD System, which will significantly increase speed to market for our clients.     Read More...
  • Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Quickfeat Partner Justina Chan (1/22/2019) - NAME:  Justina Chan TITLE:  Partner YEARS AT QUICKFEAT:  13 years+ JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Developing and managing client relationships Liaising closely with all parties across our supply chain globally Overseeing and supporting our management in the daily operations Building and living the culture of Quickfeat. Leading the development of the company’s short and long-term strategies, together with our other partners EDUCATION AND PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: After finishing my Masters in Engineering in the United States, I returned to Hong Kong to join my father’s businesses, one of them being Quickfeat. PERSONAL INTERESTS: I love traveling, especially with my family. Music is also… Read More...
  • Account Spotlight: Hanna Andersson’s Long-Standing Partnership with Quickfeat (1/22/2019) - Our first Account Spotlight features our 19-year partnership with Hanna Andersson. We asked Heather Davidson, Senior Manager, Quality Assurance and Fabric R&D, what she thinks makes it such a great one. NUMBER OF YEARS WORKING WITH QUICKFEAT:    I’ve been working with Hilda Chan (Merchandising Manager) and the Quickfeat team for over 13 years. WHAT SERVICES DOES QUICKFEAT PROVIDE FOR YOUR ACCOUNT? Fast and efficient problem solving A stable work force that understands Hanna and the development process Thoroughness – reading through Hanna communication and Tech Packs and making corrections as needed Quality products On time delivery Understanding and fulfillment of Hanna’s… Read More...
  • Photo Journal: Lululemon Vendor Summit (10/8/2018) - The Quickfeat team (including Glenn Willard, Managing Partner; Justina Chan, Partner; Alan Lin, Quickfeat Merchandising Manager for Lululemon; Ivy Wong, Quickfeat Sweater Designer, and Nadia Hung, Quickfeat COO) recently attended the Lululemon Vendor Summit in Vancouver, BC. One of the many activities was group yoga. There was also a scavenger hunt where teams were asked to find a chalkboard and write a mathematical equation. The Quickfeat team found a restaurant chalkboard and added some Einstein. The Quickfeat team meeting with the Lulu team. Ten years ago, Quickfeat produced its first sweater for Lululemon. This is it. Vendors participated in a… Read More...
  • Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Nadia Hung, Quickfeat COO (10/8/2018) - NAME: Nadia Hung TITLE: Chief Operating Officer (COO) YEARS AT QUICKFEAT: 21 years JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Overseeing daily operations and merchandising and the work of executives Designing and implementing business strategies, plans and procedures Lead merchandising team to encourage maximum performance, dedication and product knowledge Responsible for evaluating new vendors To make product innovation and development with designers and merchandisers Manage relationships with buyers, vendors and supplier as well as negotiate product pricing Travel overseas to visit clients and promote the company Prepare order summaries for the CEO   PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE (COMPANY, TITLE, DUTIES): McCall Knitters Limited - Merchandising Manager… Read More...
  • Quickfeat Partners with Million Win Vietnam to Expand Woven and Knitted Garment Production (7/18/2018) - BEND, Ore. – July 19, 2018 – Quickfeat International, an apparel manufacturer, announced today that they have partnered with Million Win Garment Co., Ltd. in Vietnam to expand their woven and knitted garment production capabilities. Accounts will work directly with Quickfeat Merchandising Managers from purchase order to final shipment. “Quickfeat is excited to partner with Million Win to extend the reach of our sourcing in Asia,” said Glenn Willard, Managing Partner, Quickfeat. “Our business philosophies are perfectly aligned, which makes this a natural partnership. Like Quickfeat, Million Win believes in running a socially and environmentally compliant operation, while producing high… Read More...
  • Quickfeat Attends Mountain Equipment Co-op’s Vendor Summit (6/5/2018) - On May 16-17, 2018, Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) invited and hosted 40 of their top vendor partners (including Quickfeat International) from 12 different countries to a Global Vendor Summit in Hong Kong. It was a rare opportunity to bring together partners from MEC’s supply chain to share insights into the evolution of their brand. Of particular importance to Quickfeat was how MEC supports their partners in developing a greater understanding of social and environmental best practices. (Pictured below: the Quickfeat team with the MEC Product Design and Sourcing team.) There was also time for some fun! A large group of… Read More...
  • Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Hilda Chan, Merchandising Manager (5/30/2018) - NAME: Hilda Chan TITLE:   Merchandising Manager YEARS AT QUICKFEAT:  18 Years JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Act as a bridge between the buyer and industry Daily communication with direct customers / factories / suppliers Complete order from purchase order to sample approvals, bulk production and through to final shipment Responsible for costing, sourcing materials and sample development Participate in price negotiation and act as liaison with vendors or suppliers Manage and follow up with production line to ensure product quality and timely shipment Retrieve and facilitate problem solution when necessary Supervise a team of merchandisers   PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: Quickfeat is my first and… Read More...
  • QUICKFEAT GIVES BACK BY MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO TWO ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (3/27/2018) - BEND, Ore. – March 27, 2018 – Quickfeat International, an apparel manufacturer, announced today that it has made significant contributions to both The Conservation Alliance and the Deschutes Land Trust (DLT) as part of the company’s initiative to give back to organizations with strong environmental and social missions. The Conservation Alliance's mission is to engage businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values. Since 2009, Quickfeat has contributed a total of $65,000 to help support this mission. “Quickfeat is a solid member of The Conservation Alliance, joining with their peers in the outdoor industry to ensure that… Read More...
  • QUICKFEAT INTERNATIONAL’S DONGGUAN JIANGNAN CLOTHING COMPANY IN CHINA RECOGNIZED FOR COMPLETING HIGG INDEX ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MODULES (1/23/2018) - BEND, Ore. – Quickfeat International, an apparel manufacturer, announced today that their factory, the DongGuan Jiangnan Clothing Company Ltd. in China, has received formal recognition from the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) for completing the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) and the Higg Facility Social Labor Module (Higg FSLM). Launched in 2012 by the SAC – a nonprofit organization founded by a group of leading apparel companies, the United States government Environmental Protection Agency, and other nonprofit entities – the Higg Index is an apparel, footwear and textile industry self-assessment standard for assessing environmental and social sustainability throughout the supply chain. The index drives behavior for improvement,… Read More...

 

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