St. Louis – Evolution St. Louis, the high-tech knitting facility using the latest Stoll 3D and complete garment seamless knitting technology, has received an investment from the newly created St. Louis Manufacturing Opportunity Zone Fund.

Founded by fashion executives and innovators John Elmuccio and Jon Lewis, Evolution St. Louis was created to strengthen the fashion and high-tech knitting industries in America. It is hoped that the facility, located in St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District, will make the United States a hub for advanced manufacturing and production as it looks to create the manufacturing facility and supply chain of the future.

“We are encouraged that investors see the vision for our project and why we chose to open our facility in St. Louis, where there is a rich heritage in the fashion industry and deep roots in manufacturing,” said Lewis. “Those who choose to invest in companies like Evolution St. Louis through Opportunity Zone Funds are helping to create sustainable job growth and economic development in this city and throughout the United States.”

The Opportunity Zone program – created as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 – is designed to help distressed urban and rural communities in Missouri and across the country.

“The future of St. Louis’ fashion industry is bright, and we are excited that Evolution St. Louis is bringing the talent and technology we need to support our growing fashion industry, as well as investors who are helping make their vision a reality,” added Otis Williams, executive director at the St. Louis Development Corporation.

Evolution St. Louis will begin production later this year and expects to create 50 to 60 new jobs within the first three years. Additional jobs will be added as the company expands.

“With the support of the City of St. Louis and our investors, we are building the supply chain of the future in the United States,” added Elmuccio. “We will create meaningful jobs with mentoring and structured job training for in-demand, high-tech roles at our factory here in St. Louis.”

Total capacity at the site is 90 machines and Evolution St Louis will begin with 30, ready at a moment's notice to add new models as demand requires. "We have a range of the latest CMS and ADF technologies in a range of gauges," Elmuccio told Knitting Trade Journal, adding that each will be equipped with Stoll's latest knitelligence software.

"Everything we're buying is the latest Stoll has to offer. We also have a tremendous collaboration in terms of training and support. They have really been a great partner in this project. We believe in the Stoll technology and a lot of the people we spoke to also felt very strongly about it. They are as invested as we are in this broader vision of an industry epicentre."

Read Knitting Trade Journal's interview with John Elmuccio HERE