Over the past 40 years, Top 40 supplier Charles River Apparel (asi/44620) has made a name for itself by creating timeless outerwear (its Logan jacket was featured as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things) and useful corporate apparel for more than 10,000 distributor and retailer clients. A third-generation family business, the Sharon, MA-based company has also put a firm focus on caring for its community, with its robust Charles River Cares charitable initiative.

To celebrate the supplier’s 40 years, ASI Media sat down with all three generations of the Lipsett family: 95-year-old founder Walter; his son Barry, who runs the company with wife Deb; and grandson Jason, marketing director. The Lipsetts reflected on Charles River Apparel’s past, how it’s meeting current trends and end-user demand, and what the future holds for the company. They also discussed the firm’s commitment to building sustainability into its products and operations.

From left: Jason, Deb, Barry and Walter Lipsett of Charles River Apparel

Q: 40 years is an impressive milestone – especially for a family company that spans several generations. Can you talk a little bit about the founding of Charles River Apparel?

Walter: When I founded Charles River Apparel, we started out selling to retailers and built a line of rain slickers for men, women and children. A few years later, we introduced a product that I knew had great potential: a cotton-lined nylon, water-resistant rain jacket. The only thing missing was a market to sell into. Not long afterward, while on a plane to visit one of our factories, I was reading a magazine article about the advertising specialty industry. I immediately knew that this could be the perfect market for us. So, I contacted the president of ASI at the time and scheduled a time to meet with him. When I showed him our new nylon jacket, he said, “Take that jacket and expand upon it, and you’re going to have a great business.” His prediction came true, and I’m proud to say that this timeless style – our Classic Solid Pullover – is still in our line today.

Barry: I’d also like to point out that our family has a legacy of entrepreneurism with dozens of businesses connected to our extended family. My maternal grandfather had his own fishing business in Boston, and Charles River Apparel was the second business my dad founded. The first business, a steel company he founded with his father in 1948, is also still around and thriving. It remains in our family with my brother-in-law John leading the company since the early 2000s.

Charles River Apparel styles featured in its 1989 catalog.

Q: What are some of the biggest changes the company has seen over the last four decades? What are some things that have stayed the same?

Barry: Technology is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about what has changed the most during these last four decades. Just look at its impact on our industry. The advancement of technology has allowed for more diverse product offerings and increased customization and a better overall customer experience. A big change more recently is the demand for eco-friendly products, and we fully anticipate that will continue to grow in the years to come.

Walter: From our founding until today, our company has focused on developing genuine relationships. We have always prioritized getting to know our customers – emphasizing the value of in-person meetings – and connecting with others in the industry.

Q: Giving back and volunteerism are huge parts of the Charles River brand. How has your Charles River Cares program expanded over the years? Can you share any metrics or milestones about how much the company has donated?

Deb: What started as us supporting several local causes and organizations has now expanded into a national umbrella of support. When we launched Charles River Cares in 2010, we focused on two causes close to our family’s and our community’s heart: cancer and homelessness. Our family, like many, has lost loved ones to cancer. We took these experiences and this compassion for others going through it and turned it into action. We now support a wide variety of cancer research and cancer awareness organizations both locally and nationally.

Homelessness also affects families of all sizes and ages – and it’s a cause we, as an apparel company, can take direct action to support through funds, clothing donations and volunteering. One of our closest charity partners is Circle of Hope in Needham, MA, which is celebrating 15 years of donating clothing and hygiene products to those in need.

These achievements bring us to today. We are proud that over the past five years, we have donated over 80,000 of our products to charity organizations of all kinds nationwide. Our largest contribution was in 2020 when we donated tens of thousands of masks to hospitals and at-need populations. This was early in the pandemic when masks were hard to get, but crucial to have.

We continue to expand our programs and find new ways to support causes nationwide. Our most recent giveback program with Meals on Wheels America is a prime example: We’re donating sales proceeds of one our most popular collections directly to their organization. With seniors being the world’s fastest-growing age segment, the need for Meals on Wheels will only become more prevalent, and it’s a significant step in us finding more ways to support all ages and populations.

The supplier’s 2023 catalog cover pays tribute to its 40^th anniversary.

Q: Why is giving back so important to your company?

Deb: Giving is part of the DNA of our family and is the common thread in our company. We believe that giving back is not only a responsibility but also a privilege. We use our resources to make a positive impact on our community and the world. Giving back also creates a sense of purpose for our crew as we focus on not only raising awareness for these causes, but also educating our customers about the difference they’re making when they join us in supporting them. We are so grateful to have a community of employees, customers and partners who are united by a passion for giving back.

Q: Let’s talk about sustainability. What are some of the things Charles River Apparel is doing to make your products and operations more sustainable?

Barry: We’re committed to being environmentally responsible and are on a mission to minimize our carbon imprint. We continue to gain insights and explore new ways to become more sustainable throughout our supply chain and operations. We’ve implemented measures to source more environmentally friendly fabrics, become more energy efficient and reduce overall waste. Moreover, we’ve partnered with leaders in sustainability who help us achieve our goals. These partners are providing us with important metrics and are involved in each step of our production process.

We’re also investing in circularity and energy management at our headquarters. For example, we signed up for UPS Carbon Neutral Shipping in April and are currently working with the town and our energy company to add solar panels on the roof of our headquarters.

Jason Lipsett, Charles River Apparel’s marketing director, conducts an interview with his grandfather Walter, the founder of the company.

Q: What are some of the biggest trends you see over the next five to 10 years in the promotional products industry?

Barry: I see more integration between suppliers like us and distributors. Technology will play an instrumental part in streamlining operations as it continues to bring new efficiencies. As mentioned before, sustainability will continue to rise in importance. The continued advancement of technology and the increased focus on sustainability will transform how companies manage their supply chain.

Q: What do you think the future of Charles River Apparel holds? What goals are you striving for over the next five to 10 years?

Jason: We will continue to expand our corporate social responsibility efforts, relating to sustainability and our Charles River Cares program. Our crew is passionate about making a positive impact, and we’re excited to find ways new ways to make a difference over the next decade.

It’s also our goal to build the Charles River Apparel brand so that in 10 years we are a nationally recognized lifestyle brand. We know that people love our products, and increasing brand awareness will create even more opportunities for our customers.

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