CLIFTON, N.J. (WCBS 880) — The Ralph Lauren-designed jackets worn by the U.S. Olympic team for the opening and closing ceremonies were made right in the heart of New Jersey.
WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell got a behind-the-scenes look at the operations inside Better Team USA, which is based in Clifton.
"In our facility, we do everything in-house," explained owner Martin DiBattista. "From the blueprints, from the pattern-making, all the development, prototyping and sampling. The benefit of doing that is we then engineer all of that to go into a production ecosystem where we cut all the material. We prepare all of the material and sew it to get the finished product. Pack it and ship it all under one roof."
The company made 1,500 pieces. The entire production process took place at the company’s Clifton facility — a complicated yet rewarding process.
"I say we're like the Navy SEALs because we take on those harder manufacturing jobs," DiBattista said. "Every single one of those jackets was made in Clifton, New Jersey. A lot of people can't believe it because so many things are made elsewhere."
DiBattista is an immigrant from Argentina who has committed to his products being made in America.
"Especially in our little section of the industry, which is outerwear, for the past 30 years it's really been sent to over to China," he said. "Why do it here right now? The way the industry is moving, especially with all the challenges in the supply chain, with the political challenges, global-wise, a lot of companies are looking to domestic manufacturing to have a better guarantee of their production."
DiBattista feels a sense of pride, both patriotically and professionally, and said his company's work on the international stage gives him chills.
"It gives me goosebumps to think about it," said DiBattista. "It's an amazing feeling. It's a true honor to be a part of history to know that my team had a part in each of those jackets coming out in the opening ceremony on the world stage."
Better Team USA also made the Olympic jackets in 2018. During the pandemic, the company made medical gowns.
