ACTIVEWEAR
Why Activewear?
- Portland firms are internationally renowned for their design talent and innovation.
- Heritage firms have provided a strong talent pool and nurturing environment to expanding/start-companies.
- Portland's reputation as a design center allows local talent to export their skills globally.
| ACTIVEWEAR CLUSTER EMPLOYMENT SNAPSHOT | |
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| Total Regional Employment (2006) | 9,057 |
| Average Annual Wages | $92,700 |
| Employment Growth (2001-06) | 8.5% |
| Portland Share of Regional Employment (2006) | 33% |
| Portland’s Activewear Study: A Collaborative Effort to Facilitate Industry Growth [.pdf] | |
What does this cluster contribute to the economy?
- More than any other cluster PDC focuses on, the firms and entrepreneurs within these clusters have made Portland a force to be reckoned with in the Activewear and Outdoor Gear world for the last thirty years.
- Cluster companies and entrepreneurs have global ties that provide pathways for exporting local expertise, recruiting skilled workers, sourcing and nurturing innovation domestically and globally.
- In addition to workers that Activewear and Outdoor Gear companies employ, there is a significant amount of additional economic activity generated by contractors and freelancers that provide services primarily to this cluster but who are self-employed in the Portland region.
- This cluster is instrumental in bringing young talent to the region – people drawn by Portland’s cool factor, affordability and live-work balance.
- This cluster is synergistic with Portland and Oregon’s unique environment offering a diversity of recreational opportunities, and residents who are passionate about their outdoor activities. People from outside Oregon visit for the range of outdoor recreational opportunities, bringing tourism resources to the city, region and state.
- Footwear Manufacturing and Bicycle Frame Building are both sectors that grew more than 70 percent between 2001 and 2006. Specialized Design grew more than 30 percent during that time.
Top PDC Initiatives
| What is PDC doing? | Why? |
|---|---|
| Design Exchange | PDC is facilitating the development of a business plan to determine if a materials resource library is feasible and economically sustainable. Business planning phase is being guided by an Advisory Committee of industry leaders representing architecture, design, higher ed, activewear and creative services. The final business plan is to be completed in February 2010. |
| Activewear Industry Cluster Convening Project | An initial roundtable was held on Oct. 8, 2009, to help inform next phases of work. As a result of discussions with the industry, a directory of local activewear cluster firms will be published in January 2010, in an effort to raise the visibility of the companies and talent that is here. Additional roundtables are scheduled for January and February 2010 focused on activewear start-ups and talent. Project partners include Greenlight Greater Portland, Oregon Business Development Department, Oregon Business Council and Portland State University. |
| CLUSTERS |
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CLEAN TECH/
SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIES |
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ACTIVEWEAR |
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SOFTWARE |
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ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
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| NEWS & RESOURCES |
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9/8: OEN PubTalk™ - Activewear Innovation Mecca, 5:15 - 7pm
Active Insights Quarterly: Q4 2009
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| ACTIVEWEAR DIRECTORY |
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Add your company to the |
| INDUSTRY SURVEY |
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| NOTABLE REGIONAL FIRMS |
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