Made in the USA: Omega Apparel to hold monthly job fair in DeKalb

SMITHVILLE – Made in USA is alive in the apparel industry, and Smithville-based Omega Apparel will be holding a monthly job fair as a result. Omega is planning to hire 40-plus new employees in January and up to 100 new workers in the next six months.

“We could not be more excited to be hiring again,” Dean Wegner, president and CEO, said in a release. “The year 2014 was disheartening as we lost jobs as a result of an approximately 50 percent reduction in our military contract business.”

Added Russ Brue, CFO, “What is more important to us than making money at Omega is to be in a position to create jobs, provide for families, and have a positive impact on their lives.”

As a result of the reduction in its military uniform business, Omega had to change its business model and expand its customer focus.

“At the start of 2014, we had one customer,” said Bethany Colwell, customer service manager. “We now have 25-plus customers. This is a daunting challenge, but one that all of us at Omega are eager to embrace.”

Omega’s new customers range from well-established companies to entrepreneurial startups that want their production to be in the U.S.

“We have two distinctly different production models; one focused on our larger customers and one focused on our smaller customers,” said Todd McCloud, plant manager. “Regardless of a customer’s size,” added Connie Jolley, quality and operations manager, “we stand for the highest level of quality, timely delivery and customer service in the industry.”

HR Manager Michelle Brawley is leading the efforts for Omega’s job fair. “Given the growth we are projecting over the next year, finding strong new teammates will be our greatest challenge,” she said. “We can teach a new teammate to sew. We are seeking individuals who have a have great attitude, strong work ethic, and are willing to embrace our values.

The first monthly job fair is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 16. Job fairs will continue on third Friday of every month at 8 a.m. at the DeKalb County Community Center, located at 712 South Congress Boulevard; Smithville. Sewing related experience is preferred. For more information, contact Brawley at (615) 597-8889.

Omega Apparel Inc. is a supplier of dress trousers, slacks and skirts for the U.S. military. Omega’s production facility is located in Smithville. In 2014, Omega established a dress shirt production line and an assembly division. Omega will continue to be 100 percent made in the USA.

Liz Engel is the editor of the Upper Cumberland Business Journal. She can be reached at liz@ucbjournal.com

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