Nike (NYSE:NKE), Under Armour (NYSE:UAA)(NYSE:UA), and other clothing brands have been talking a lot lately about the need to overhaul their manufacturing processes as a way to reduce costs, improve quality, and have more flexibility. The textile manufacturing process has changed relatively slowly compared with other industries, but that could change soon as more and more focus is put on disrupting it.

Looking to disrupt manufacturing

Last summer, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank addressed media, government officials, and others outside a new facility near his company’s headquarters in Baltimore, pointing out that textile manufacturing is done largely the same way it was 100 years ago. The facility, called Lighthouse, is a 35,000-square-foot center where the Under Armour team is using 3-D printers and other technology so that designers and engineers can find new ways to manufacture their gear more efficiently and with better quality.

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