After over 30 years of supplying sports uniforms for local clubs and schools, Allan and Rose Thomson are ready to spend more time with their grandchildren, as well as fishing. Photo / Nikki Carroll
After over 30 years of supplying sports uniforms for local clubs and schools, Allan and Rose Thomson are ready to spend more time with their grandchildren, as well as fishing. Photo / Nikki Carroll
After over 30 years of providing uniforms for local sports clubs and school sports teams, the time has come for the owners of Horowhenua business Classic Apparel and Print to pack away the machines and pick up their fishing rods.
Allan and Rose Thomson purchased the printing arm of Levin manufacturing business Levana Textiles in 1988 and moved the equipment from the original site on Cambridge St South to Mabel St – setting up as Classic Design Prints.
At the time the business specialised in making flock transfers for printing company logos and apparel decoration, and the Thomsons were lucky enough to pick up contracts with such big-name companies as Adidas, Reebok Australia, Canterbury International and the All Blacks.
Allan and Rose saw a need to move into bigger premises in 1992, as they wanted to expand the services they could offer, leading to nearly 30 years of business at 12 Keepa St, Levin.
Classic Apparel and Print has been located on Keepa St, Levin, for nearly three decades - supplying good quality printed garments to local schools and sports clubs. Photo / Nikki Carroll
Allan started his printing career in 1966 with Errol Collier's Classic Pennants, with Rose joining the team in 1972 to learn screenprinting, and romance bloomed.
"When the opportunity came up to purchase Levana's printing business in 1988 our youngest was 6 years old [and at school] so it seemed like the perfect time," said Rose.
The move into Keepa St four years later allowed the opportunity for growth, with printing of PVC panels and stickers, as well as socks with anti-slip features on the soles being added to production.
The sharemarket crash in late 1997 resulted in the loss of some of Thomson's big printing contracts but they didn't let this slow them down.
Long time employee John Teal operating the screenprinting machine to help the Thomsons finish off their last orders before closing the doors for good. Photo / Nikki Carroll
A sublimation printing machine was purchased which enabled the company to establish their own brand and designs for quality sportswear – supplying garments to touch, netball, and hockey teams, as well as schools.
Sublimation is a popular printing method that transfers a design from sublimation paper onto a piece of fabric or material by using pressure and heat of around 250 degrees Celsius.
This was also the perfect time for a name change to Classic Apparel and Print, to further capture the company's dedication to specialising in affordable screenprinting services and sublimated apparel.
Over the following years the company also produced multi colour, highly detailed sports garments with the use of large format digital printers.
Classic Apparel owner Rose Thomson using the sublimation machine to create final orders of the Te Papa Museum staff uniforms. Photo / Nikki Carroll
"The market for sublimated apparel became very competitive [price wise] with overseas suppliers [but] we've been able to compete with both quality and service," said Allan.
"Customers are involved with all aspects [of the job], from colours and garment styles through to receiving samples for approval."
Classic Apparel's reputation for good quality work has scored contracts for the Te Papa Museum staff uniforms; competition tops for the Mighty 11 BMX competition teams; and the Extreme Enduro NZ team uniforms.
However, the current building's lease expiring combined with the impact of the Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, as well as a desire to spend more time with their grandchildren, has led to Allan and Rose deciding to close their business next month.
This decision was announced on Classic Apparel's Facebook page in August and they have been flooded with rush orders since then, with the final date for printing being the end of this month.
"The sublimation machine has been sold to Kapinua [another local printing firm] and we are contacting current customers to give back their screenprinting artwork so they can source other suppliers," said Allan.
Staff loyalty has seen long-time screenprinter John Teal come out of retirement to help Allan and Rose with final orders.
"John has been with us off and on for 26 years; our last sewing lady, who retired at 75, had been with us for 11 years and our office lady 12 years," said Rose.
Allan and Rose said they'll miss the regular interactions with their customers and wanted to express heartfelt thanks to the community, clubs, and schools who have supported Classic Apparel over the last three decades.
