By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D) from Selma led Senior Procurement executives from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in Philadelphia, PA to tour the American Apparel factory headquarters in Selma. Rep. Sewell invited DLA executives to come to Selma to discuss military procurement opportunities with American Apparel officials.
Rep. Sewell said, “Today I was pleased to welcome the Defense Logistics Agency to the American Apparel factory in Selma. This was a unique opportunity to showcase American Apparel and the hardworking individuals of 7th Congressional District as shining examples of what businesses can do with the resources and opportunities provided to this district.”
Rep. Sewell said, “American Apparel is not only a valued employer in the district, but also a key partner with DLA in helping ensure that our military combat units are prepared and equipped with essential life saving combat uniforms. During our visit we were able to establish and engage in a meaningful dialogue about the procurement process and industry needs and concerns. I applaud American Apparel and the Defense Logistics Agency for their commitment to maintaining and strengthening this essential partnership between businesses and the federal government.”
President of American Apparel Jim Hodo said, “We very much appreciate Congresswoman Sewell hosting a meeting with senior Defense Department officials today to discuss future opportunities for American Apparel. The Congresswoman is a great friend to American Apparel and to our men and women of the armed services.”
Nancy Heimbaugh, the Senior Procurement Executive with DLA, said: “Thank you for the opportunity to visit your operations in Selma. American Apparel is an important member of the Defense industrial base and I was happy to meet with the workers, tour the facility, and discuss how DLA does business. DLA believes it’s important to stay in touch with the industrial base and some of the ways we do this is by visiting our business partners on a regular basis.” DLA was also represented at the meeting by Chief Acquisition Executive Bill Kenny and Steve Merch, the DLA official in charge of troop support clothing and textiles.
Rep. Sewell said, “It is my hope that this dialogue with American Apparel and DLA will continue. Its ongoing conversations that will allow us to best meet the changing needs of our military combat forces, while continuing to support businesses and industries that are vital to preserving our military uniform industrial base.”
The DLA is a Department of Defense combat support agency, that provides the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, other federal agencies, and joint and allied forces with a variety of logistics, acquisition and technical services. The agency sources and provides almost all of the consumable items that America’s military forces need to operate. It supplies the military with food, fuel, energy, uniforms, medical supplies, construction and barrier equipment, and over 80% percent of the military’s spare parts. DLA’s headquarters is at Fort Belvoir, VA. The DLA has about 27,000 employees worldwide and supports about 1,900 weapon systems.
American Apparel, Inc. is headquartered in Selma and manufactures combat and utility uniforms for the Department of Defense. American Apparel operates four separate manufacturing facilities in Alabama at Selma, Centre, Oneonta and Opp. American Apparel employs over 1,000 Alabama employees and maintains nearly 600,000 square feet of capacity.
To Read Rep. Sewell’s statement in its entirety:
