Coalfield Development today announced acquiring Morgantown-based SustainU sustainable clothing manufacturer, incorporating it into its family of social enterprises. Based in Wayne County, WV, Coalfield Development is a nonprofit organization that operates social enterprises designed to diversify the Appalachian economy. SustainU, founded in 2009 by entrepreneur, Chris Yura sustainably manufactures 100% recycled knitwear in the United States and it is a licensee of Major League Baseball®.
“We are excited to bring SustainU under the Coalfield Development umbrella,” said Brandon Dennison, the organization’s Founder and CEO. Coalfield and SustainU have an alignment of values, and share a commitment to social enterprise as a development strategy to rebuild the economy from the ground up. “We know that in order for new markets to emerge out of central Appalachia, we need to get local products exported to bigger areas. This acquisition helps advance such a strategy,” Dennison said.
SustainU, which sources and creates products from recycled cotton and recycled plastics, has developed a local production workforce including people recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. The printing and shipping operations will be moving into Coalfield’s West Edge Factory in Huntington later this year.
Since 2009, SustainU has worked with industry leaders in creating more sustainable apparel in the United States. Custom apparel clients include as D’Addario Strings, Ben and Jerry’s, The America’s Cup, The College Football National Championship, and Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza productions. In 2016, SustainU became a licensee of Major League Baseball® and has introduced USA made, 100% recycled apparel to fans and stadiums across the country.
SustainU created the MLB T-Shirt Club (www.mlbtshirtclub.com) which was ranked #9 of the “20 coolest pieces of MLB fan swag for 2018 “ by CBS Sports. During Yankees Sprint Training 2018, SustainU introduced the @Shirt Interactive Kiosk at George M, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. This new technology allows fans to virtually purchase custom match-up graphics with home delivery. The @Shirt Kiosks will available at stadiums and venues around the country in 2019. “The strategic partnership will produce even more innovation in sports licensed apparel and sustainable apparel production and impact our coalfield communities in a big way,” said Yura. “We are extremely excited to be part of the Coalfield Family of enterprises.”
