THE FACTORY
Union, New Jersey (2012-current)
This is the 7th location since 1913 to produce Schott NYC products. Currently, all of our mens leathers and wool coats are produced here, as well as half of our womens collection, and numerous accessories. Between the Front Office, Factory Floor, and Shipping Deptartment, Schott employs 100+ people in addition to our sales team and NYC, LA, and SF store teams.
Below, see how we go from leather hide to iconic Schott jacket...
1 | RAW MATERIALS & COLOR MATCHING
The first thing to realize, is that we are a clothing manufacturing factory, not a leather tannery. We source our leathers from the finest domestic and international suppliers and house them in our climate controlled warehouse.
Before we cut any leather hide, skilled craftsmen with years of experience make sure that every part of every jacket is cut from a hide that matches in color, grain, & texture.
2 | LEATHER CUTTING
At any point, there are up to 12 styles being produced on the floor at the same time. The leathers are cut by hand using precise patterns to ensure consistent quality. This incredibly complex art form uses a simple but specifically made razorblade.
The cutters know the variations of the strength of the skin on each area of the hide so they can cut precisely to maximize quality, remove imperfections, and yield the least waste for the most efficient use of the hide.
Apprentice cutters spend their first year learning the craft before spending their second year on the assembly line.
3 | LINER CUTTING
While the leather is being cut by hand, the fabric for the jacket's liner is also cut. Our fabric ranges from cotton flannel to polyester and satin.
Unlike the leather cutting process, the fabric rolls are fed through a machine to be cut in a stack using printed patterns on paper. They are still cut by hand but with high-powered electric blades, a job where sharp focus and a steady hand is essential.
4 | DETAIL CUTTING
This 25 ton Herman Schwabe die cutting machine goes back to our Perth Amboy factories (1940s-2002). Pockets, epaulets, flaps, and more are pressed and cut using decades old steel templates.
5 | BUNDLING
Once the leather and liners are cut, they are bundled and organized. They are then brought to various sewers throughout the floor for assembly.
6 | OUTER SHELL ASSEMBLY
Jackets are assembled piece by piece, and inside-out to hide their seams.
7 | TURNING STATION & Inspection
Since the jacket is sewn together inside-out, they have to be folded right side out. The seams are pulled over a metal rod that's used to round out the seams and gets rid of any puckers. Air in the seams are also hammered out. This is the first stage of inspection as a jacket is nearing completion.
8 | HARDWARE DETAILS
Depending on the style - stars, snaps, and other smaller hardware are punched into the jacket, marking the final stage in the jackets' assembly.
9 | FINAL INSPECTION
If the jacket meets our quality standards, it's tagged, individually numbered, and officially becomes a Schott Jacket.
10 | STOCK & SHIPPING
After inspection, they're moved to the warehouse, waiting to make the trip to our Flagship stores (NYC, LA, and SF), shops around the globe, or direct to your front door.
And that is when the real journey starts...
