These are the top 5 countries to produce clothing in Europe

If you are a fashion brand based in Europe and want to have a sustainable approach to your production process, then producing in Europe is the best solution. To understand why this is the best option you must first recognize the importance of the nearshoring process. Nearshoring is the practice of having the producer and end consumer close to each other, which has direct advantages such as lower transportation costs and emissions, and faster and more reliable delivery times,  which in turn creates resilience. However, there are several other positive externalities associated with nearshoring in the textile industry (you can consult the nearshoring impact analysis report by Manufy for more useful information on the topic).

Europe has an amazing and unique landscape of manufacturing businesses, and as a continent with a long, rich history of being the capital of world fashion, Europe is one of the most ideal places to produce. For centuries, countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Greece have been fashion epicenters, pioneering new trends, fabrics, and manufacturing methods. Eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, the Baltic states, and Poland have recently emerged as major players in the textile and garment manufacturing industry. While Europe has traditionally been associated with high production costs, new technological innovations, sustainable fabrics, and green and ethical practices have transformed Europe into a competitor to many Asian manufacturers such as China and India.

Now let’s dive into the details and find out which countries in Europe are the best for fashion production.

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Spain

One of Spain’s most important industries is clothing manufacturing. With over 8,600 clothing manufacturing enterprises based in various cities, the country has been recognized as an apparel manufacturing hub. With the Spanish government providing a number of incentives to promote the textile and clothing industry, this industry will continue to grow and reach new heights. As a result, Spain is an ideal location for clothing manufacturers to establish production lines.

Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Valencia are major apparel manufacturing hubs in Spain, home to thousands of clothing manufacturing businesses as well as numerous fashion brands, showrooms, and stores.

Spain’s apparel manufacturers produce nearly every type of clothing imaginable. There is really a lot of variety of precast you can produce in this country but at the same time one of the most notable aspects of Spanish apparel manufacturing is the emphasis on sustainability.

In Spain, technology is important in fabric design and apparel manufacturing since it reduces costs, increases efficiency, and speeds up the process is one of the emerging trends in the clothing manufacturing sector. Overall, Spain provides numerous opportunities for apparel manufacturers. There are no restrictions on EU countries or non-members as a fully integrated member of the EU. Spain is an excellent destination for apparel manufacturing countries due to its modern infrastructure and attractive incentives.

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Poland

Poland produces a diverse range of clothing. Despite the fact that Poland’s major cities have never been considered major apparel manufacturing hubs like their European counterparts, companies in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Zakopane, and Poznan have consistently produced clothing for both domestic and international fashion houses.

With the advancement of technology in Poland in recent years, apparel manufacturers have embraced modern methods of clothing production in order to remain competitive in the international market.

Computer-aided design has been used by industry players to create designs, prints, patterns, and sketches more quickly and precisely. This technology enables clothing manufacturers to create high-quality designs while increasing productivity.

Most apparel manufacturers in Poland, in general, use modern manufacturing processes and equipment to complete a variety of tasks from design to finish.

Poland’s strategic location in Central Europe makes it an ideal investment destination for apparel manufacturers looking to expand into Eastern and Western European markets. Poland also has modern infrastructure, such as good roads, a railway network of 18,510 kilometers, and excellent communication technology. Apparel manufacturers can conduct business more efficiently and at a lower cost thanks to its high-quality infrastructure. Furthermore, Poland has a skilled labor force with strong work ethics.

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The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a true fashion hotspot, with thousands of clothing manufacturing companies and major fashion brands, with Amsterdam even being named the Denim capital of the world.  Because of modernization of clothing production and favorable government policies, the value of clothing exports from the Netherlands has consistently increased since 2007.

The Netherlands has a fully integrated clothing production chain and a long history of clothing exports. These are some of the factors that contribute to the country’s attractiveness to clothing manufacturers.

Today, the Dutch apparel industry focuses on clothing with higher added value. As a result, manufacturers have embraced modern sewing technologies in order to produce high-quality clothing products capable of competing in the global market. Clothing manufacturers in the Netherlands are well-known for their high quality, flexibility, quick response, and ability to accommodate large and small size orders.

In general, the Netherlands is a fashion hotspot where progressive and forward-thinking ideas are born. Knowledge around sustainability and circularity is imprinted in most of the producers’ mindset. When it comes to clothing, the country’s potential is limitless.