In the intricate dance of textile manufacturing, Unifi has tightened its laces. The North Carolina-based producer of Repreve, the recycled performance fiber that has become a darling of eco-conscious lingerie brands, reported Q3 net sales of $130 million—an 11.3 percent drop from the same period last year. Yet, like a well-constructed underwire, the company’s cost-cutting measures have provided surprising lift: gross profit surged to $9.1 million, a dramatic recovery from a $400,000 loss a year ago.
This paradox—shrinking sales, expanding margins—echoes the lingerie industry’s own history of resilience. Just as the 1920s saw girdles evolve into lighter, more profitable silhouettes despite economic headwinds, Unifi has streamlined its operations, shuttering a North Carolina facility and reducing debt from $140 million in 2023 to $94.9 million. The Americas segment alone added $10.6 million in gross profit through efficiency, though Brazil and Asia faltered under tariff pressures and import pricing.
Repreve, a fiber born from post-consumer plastic bottles, remains the brand’s jewel. Revenues for Repreve rose to $38.2 million, now representing 29 percent of net sales—a quiet nod to how sustainability, like a fine silk chemise, can command premium attention even in lean times. CEO Eddie Ingle struck a measured tone, noting the company is “positioned to generate stronger profitability from a lower revenue base,” while hinting at innovations like Luxel, a linen-inspired yarn that debuted this quarter.
For the Lingerie Museum, Unifi’s story is a reminder that the textile trade has always been one of adaptation. From the whalebone corsets of the 19th century to today’s recycled microfibers, the thread of ingenuity binds profit to purpose. As Unifi braces for petrochemical inflation in Q4, the industry watches—knowing that what lies beneath often tells the truest story.
Originally reported by WWD