Corporate Profile

DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
Photography by: Thomas Ray
E S TA B L I S H E D
OUR STORY
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
Dorothea Knitting Mills was established in 1926 by Louis Borsook. At the time he
was running a chain of Millinery stores. There is a story that a woman came in one
day, tried on every hat in the store and when she left buying just one he exclaimed,
“It is time to go wholesale”. For the first 15 years Dorothea only produced wool felt
headwear, including their world-renowned berets. In 1940 they expanded to ladies
sweaters and knitwear and the Parkhurst brand was born. Today the company
produces over 75% of their products in two-world class manufacturing facilities in
Toronto, Canada totaling almost 200,000 square feet. The remaining 25% is sourced
around the world.
Although Parkhurst may be the largest sweater and knit accessory producer in
North America, their focus is still on the small boutiques and chains that have
always been a healthy percentage of its sales With road reps, many of which have
been with the company for over 20 years, Parkhurst products are found all over
North America, Europe, Australia and Japan. In addition, larger chains and department stores rely on Parkhurst for core and special items and appreciate the diversity, quick turns and quality of their products.
For Spring 2013 Parkhurst has created beautiful knitwear that can be worn to the
office or with casual pants and jeans. The line includes lightweight crochets with a
hand knitted look, striking intarsia designs and stripes utilizing novelty yarn as well
as their famous 100% cotton, washer and dryer safe knitwear in a myriad of colours
that only a company with their own dye house can produce. As always, attention to
detail and the highest quality of workmanship is a requirement of every garment
before the Parkhurst label is attached.
Parkhurst has an in-house design team that understands how to create interesting
and fashionable patterns and stitches and then incorporate them into knitwear that
can be worn by almost all women. Parkhurst prides itself on being able to interpret
the latest trends and directions for their customers.
Now run by Steven Borsook, Louis’ grandson, Parkhurst is moving to expand their
sales around the world but will never lose their commitment to combining fashion
with quality for hundreds of customers (some of whom have carried their lines for
over 50 years) throughout Canada and the United States. As Steven says “When I
joined the company my grandfather told me it was not a gold mine but a coal mine
and I better be prepared to work every day” Parkhurst is looking forward to the day
very soon when they will be making and shipping on their 100th birthday.
E S TA B L I S H E D
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
OUR OPERATION
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
Dorothea Knitting Mills
A TOTAL VERTICAL OPERATION
Dorothea started over 85 years ago, with production of knitted felt berets. The company quickly
expanded into the wide range of quality knitwear for which it is well known today: women’s sweaters, skirts, headwear (including the original beret) gloves and scarves. Private label programs include
a wide range of products such as men’s sweaters, headwear, gloves and scarves. The company grew
again in the year 2000 with the expansion into products such as throws, pillows and blankets in the
Home Accent line and later expanded in 2005 with their Outdoor Edition division of fashion coats and
jackets.
In 1995 a second plant, consisting of 85,000 sq. ft. was added to help the company meet the growing
demand for knitted products. In total, the two buildings house: the design centre; the private label
sales force; showrooms; executive and administrative offices; stockrooms; yarn receiving, storage
and testing; the dye house and lab; Fully Fashion and Cut & Sew Knitting; assembly and finishing. In
2001 a third plant was opened in the United States for U.S. military beret contracts.
Dorothea Knitting Mills is facing the future with two major strategies in mind: Export, and
Diversification. To meet the challenges of the marketplace, the company is working harder
and smarter - to be on top of consumer demand. The team at Parkhurst can proudly boast
that they have the widest variety of knit goods made by any facility
E S TA B L I S H E D
in North America.
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
OUR PROCESS
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
Starting with the Yarn - Skein Winding for Yarn Dye - In-House Twisting
A commitment to sourcing the latest
yarns from around the world
E S TA B L I S H E D
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
OUR PROCESS
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
Parkhurst Lab & Dye House
Lab Matching
The Parkhurst lab will test their formulas using
a variety of equipment such as a spectrophotometer for computer analysis of the shade’s
colour depth, tone range and colour saturation
level. In addition, a light box will be used to
manually view the shade under a variety of
light source ranges - varying from blue to
yellow fluorescent light, incandescent and
daylight readings.
Lab Testing
Additional tests will be done to determine
whether the new formula will meet the high
standards set by Parkhurst for shrinkage
control, pilling, crocking and colour fastness to
light and washing.
The Dye House
Hundreds of shades are currently on file for
customer reference. Parkhurst is able to keep
up with changing trends and continually add to
the existing broad colour range. Parkhurst is
capable of dying any yarn, from cashmere to
acrylic, as well as the ability to garment-dye
finished products.
Yarn Dye:
Parkhurst has the capacity to dye 5000 pounds
per week.
Dye House:
Sample dye lots – between 10-13 pounds
Production Dye Lots – up to 320 pounds
Garment Dye:
Parkhurst has the capacity to dye 6325 pounds
per week.
E S TA B L I S H E D
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
OUR PROCESS
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
Production - Washed & Dried
All production is washed and dried during the production process.
In-House Design & Computer Programming
We offer a sample and design team that provide you with styling from our lines - or develop product for your needs.
Gerber and PAD Patternmaking - Programming to Knit Machine
E S TA B L I S H E D
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
KNITTING CAPACITY
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
The Knitting Process
Shima & Stoll Flat Knitting
Capacity:
Flat / Full Fashion Knitting
- 16,900 units/ week
Headwear
- 5,400 units/ week
Gauges - Full Fashion & Cut & Sew:
3 Gauge - 2,250 units/ week
5* Gauge - 4,400 units/ week
7* Gauge - 6,450 units/ week
10* Gauge - 2,050 units/ week
14* Gauge - 2,050 units/ week
*Convertible gauges
E S TA B L I S H E D
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
KNITTING CAPACITY
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
Full Fashion Looping - Quality Control - Cutting
- Cut & Sew Assembly - Headwear & Accessory Assembly
E S TA B L I S H E D
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
CATEGORIES
Women’s Headwear
Berets
Head Wraps
Earmuffs
Structured Felts Reversible
Knits & Faux Furs Straws
Women’s Sweaters
Fine Gauge
Jacquards
Cables
Pointelles
Mesh
Cardigans
Novelty
Men's Accessories
Berets
Gloves
Military Berets Knit Scarves
Felt Headwear Knit Toques
Women’s Scarves,
Wraps & Cover-Ups
DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS
Women’s Gloves
Women’s Legwarmers
Knits & Faux Furs
Knits & Faux Furs
Fingerless Gloves
Glove Cuffs
Knits & Faux Furs
Boot Toppers & Cuffs
Women’s Dresses
Women’s Outerwear
Women’s Rain Coats
& Wind Breakers
Knits
Cut & Sew
Novelty Fabrics
Felts
Faux Shearling
Faux Furs
Reversible
Boiled Wool Vests & Jackets
Novelty
Men’s Sweaters
Home Accents
Fine Gauge Cardigans
Jacquards
Novelty
Cables
Knits & Faux Furs
Throws & Pillows
Reader Wraps
Structured Trenches
Novelty Fabrics
Novelty
Steering Wheel Covers
Cell Phone Purse/ Wristlet
Knit & Faux Fur Dog Coats
Tech Accessories - I PAD Covers
Blankets
Throws & Pillows
Knit Headwear & Scarves
Knit Sweaters
E S TA B L I S H E D
1926
www.parkhurst.ca
E S TA B L I S H E D
U.S. Corporate
Showroom New York
1410 Broadway
Suite 1706, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212-268-8252
(f) 212-268-8279
1926
Canada Head Office
20 Research Road
Toronto, Ontario, M4G 2G6
1-800-268-0456
416-421-3773
(f) 416-421-9084
[email protected]
www.parkhurst.ca