Gelmart: A Manufacturing Expert in the Philippines

Rafar Manufacturing

70 Years of Manufacturing Experience

Gelmart opened its first factory in the Philippines in 1952. By 1967, Gelmart became the largest vertical manufacturer in East Asia, with over 15,000 workers—enabling us to serve the biggest names in retail and intimate apparel.

Now, 70 years later, Gelmart operates three manufacturing facilities in the Philippines under Rafar Manufacturing: WeLively, STP and SRP, with state of the art sample workrooms and back-end offices.

Advantages of Manufacturing in the Phillipines

Gelmart has invested significant supply chain resources in the Phillippines due to its:

  • Ample supply of manpower at a reasonable cost—industrious and efficient
  • Skill level and ease of training workers
  • English speaking competency
  • Quality of sewing workmanship
  • Adaptable and flexible workforce
  • Social responsibility awareness
  • Stable currency
  • Incentives from the Philippine government to bring manufacturing back
  • Exemption from Chinese tariffs
  • Open discussion on a favorable trade agreement with the US

OTHER LEGACY FACTORS DRIVING INVESTMENT

Before the removal of quotas, the Philippines had the largest bra quota.
Most of the bra supply in the world came from the Philippines.
Gelmart was the largest apparel manufacturer in the Philippines.
Gelmart's familiarity with the country is based on it's 70+ year history.

GELMART HAS THREE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES WITH STATE OF THE ART SAMPLE WORKROOMS AND BACK-END OFFICES

All of Gelmart's Philippine facilities have GRS (Global Recycling Standard) and are partially solar powered with a total output over 750K units monthly.

STP "SEWING TO PERFECTION"

For longer runs and used by large retailers

LOCATION
Laguna, Philippines
NUMBER OF WORKERS
1,000
PRODUCTION CAPACITY
6 million pcs/year, with immediate plans to expand into 8-10 million pcs/year
PRODUCT CAPABILITIES
Molded bras, bralettes, bonded styles, seamless styles, cup molding production, lounge/sleepwear, kids
DISTANCE FROM PORT
60 km
SAILING TIME FROM CHINA
3 days
FACILITIES
State of art sample room and product development

WELIVELY

For longer runs and used by large retailers

LOCATION
Clark, Philippines
NUMBER OF WORKERS
500
PRODUCTION CAPACITY
250k/month
PRODUCT CAPABILITIES
Molded bras, bralettes, wirefree, underwear, loungewear, activewear
DISTANCE FROM PORT
88 km
SAILING TIME FROM CHINA
3 days
FACILITIES
Modern facility with advanced technology

SRP "SAMPLE ROOM PHILIPPINES"

For longer runs and used by large retailers

LOCATION
Laguna, Philippines
NUMBER OF WORKERS
25
PRODUCTION CAPACITY
2 million pcs/year
PRODUCT CAPABILITIES
Molded bras, bralettes, underwear, loungewear, apparel, kids
DISTANCE FROM PORT
58 km
SAILING TIME FROM CHINA
3 days
FACILITIES
State of art sample room and product development