What LT Apparel Group does

LT Apparel Group is a family-owned, New York-headquartered B2B wholesale company founded in 1958 that designs, sources, manufactures, and distributes branded children's apparel. The company operates an integrated global supply chain spanning 80+ sourcing countries, with wholly owned or partner offices in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, India, Chile, and El Salvador, complemented by U.S. offices in New York, Portland, Holmdel, St. Louis, Louisville, Seattle, Paragould, Norfolk, and Browns Summit.

The product portfolio combines licensed brands (adidas Kids — including Badge of Sport and Originals lines — and Carhartt Kids) with owned brands (French Toast, a schoolwear leader since 1985, and Elderwear, acquired in April 2025 via the Elder Manufacturing Company acquisition). Underlying technology includes Browzwear 3-D design tooling, Autostore and tSort robotic picking systems at the 810,000 sq ft Louisville distribution center, and an integrated ERP/business intelligence platform, alongside ISA and CTPAT supply chain security certifications. Production capacity is described as multiple millions of units shipped annually, with a global team of 801+ dedicated employees.

Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale distribution to major retailers, department stores, and e-commerce platforms, supplemented by licensing royalties from adidas and Carhartt. The go-to-market is B2B-led, with dedicated sales teams, Product Liaison roles, and brand-specific customer support lines for each portfolio brand. The company does not sell directly to consumers, instead supporting retail partners with marketing materials, product development, and supply chain execution. No revenue, pricing, or funding figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

LT Apparel Group

Legal name

LT Apparel Group

Website

https://ltapparel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

LT Apparel Group is a family-owned B2B wholesale company founded in 1958 that designs, sources, manufactures, and distributes branded children's apparel through licensed partnerships with adidas Kids and Carhartt Kids and owned brands French Toast and Elderwear, serving major retailers and department stores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers (424350), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (315250)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s, Baby & Maternity Apparel Brands (CRAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Children's apparel wholesale
• Licensed kidswear manufacturing
• School uniform production
• Kids activewear distribution
• Branded youth clothing

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Primary B2B wholesale model distributing branded children's apparel to major retailers, department stores, and e-commerce platforms. The company designs, sources, manufactures, and distributes apparel under licensed brands (adidas Kids, Carhartt Kids) and owned brands (French Toast, Elderwear).
2. Licensing Royalties - adidas: Licensing partnership with adidas for design, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution of adidas kids active apparel for sizes infant to youth. Relationship spans over 20 years. adidas sourcing designated as 'Strategic Partner' (highest level).
3. Licensing Royalties - Carhartt: Licensing relationship with Carhartt since 2009 for all design, manufacturing, sales, and marketing of apparel for sizes newborn through youth. Carhartt Kids is the top brand for children's workwear.
4. Owned Brand Sales - French Toast: Wholly owned brand within LT Apparel portfolio. French Toast is a market leader in schoolwear, generating revenue through wholesale distribution to retailers nationwide.
5. Owned Brand Sales - Elderwear: Elderwear brand (acquired from Elder Manufacturing Company) focuses on school uniforms with creative embroidery and screen printing services, sold primarily to schools and retailers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

LT Apparel Group designs, sources, manufactures, and distributes branded children's apparel for sizes ranging from infant to youth. The company operates a portfolio of licensed brands (adidas Kids, Carhartt Kids) and wholly owned brands (French Toast, Elderwear), producing school uniforms, activewear, and workwear. Products are sold B2B through major retailers, department stores, and e-commerce platforms rather than directly to consumers.

Product overview

LT Apparel Group is a single integrated kids apparel platform encompassing design, marketing, and distribution of branded children's wear. The portfolio includes wholly owned brand French Toast (schoolwear since 1985), acquired brand Elderwear (school uniforms with company-owned manufacturing in El Salvador), and licensed brands adidas Kids (Badge of Sport and Originals lines for infant to youth) and Carhartt Kids (workwear for newborn through youth). The company operates with integrated global supply chain management, logistics, and e-commerce fulfillment capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• adidas Kids: Kids active apparel line including Badge of Sport and Originals for sizes infant to youth
• French Toast
• Carhartt Kids
• Elderwear

Products and services

• French Toast Wholly owned schoolwear brand within LT Apparel portfolio, offering high-quality uniforms and school clothing accessible to all kids and families. Trusted nationwide for quality, fit, and long-lasting value since 1985. Distributed through major retailers and department stores.
• adidas Kids (Badge of Sport) Active apparel line for adidas kids covering sizes infant to youth, including Badge of Sport products. LT Apparel handles design, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution maintaining adidas quality and brand image. Distributed through major retailers and e-commerce platforms.
• adidas Kids (Originals) Heritage-focused line within adidas offering classic designs for kids in the U.S. market. Emphasizes lifestyle and streetwear inspired by sport and related culture. Distributed through major retailers and e-commerce platforms.
• Carhartt Kids Children's workwear brand for sizes newborn through youth. LT Apparel handles all design, manufacturing, sales, and marketing. The top brand for children's workwear, offering rugged, durable gear for children. Distributed through major retailers and e-commerce platforms.
• Elderwear School uniform brand with over 100 years of excellence. Features creative embroidery and screen printing capabilities, produced at company-owned factory in El Salvador. Known for the licensed Tom Sawyer label since 1918. Sold primarily to schools and retailers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Deliver gross margins above retailer department averages
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elder Manufacturing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025LT Apparel Group acquired Elder Manufacturing Company, a well-established school uniform producer, to strengthen its position in the school uniform market. Elder's extensive network and manufacturing capabilities in El Salvador enhance LT Apparel's growth and service offerings. Elder Manufacturing began in 1916 in St. Louis.
• Comtex Sourcing / Hirdaramani GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic sourcing partnership with Comtex Sourcing in collaboration with Hirdaramani Group—one of the world's largest manufacturers of men's, women's, and children's apparel. The partnership provides end-to-end capabilities in product design, development, fabric innovation, and technical design with wholly owned global offices, factories, and distribution centers.
• adidas GroupcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partnership spanning over 20 years where LT Apparel is responsible for design, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution of adidas kids active apparel for sizes infant to youth. adidas sourcing designated as 'Strategic Partner' (highest level).
• CarharttcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing relationship with Carhartt since 2009 for all design, manufacturing, sales, and marketing of apparel for sizes newborn through youth. Carhartt Kids is the top brand for children's workwear with relationship spanning nearly 20 years.
• Indianapolis ColtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership with Indianapolis Colts' linebacker Zaire Franklin. Annual back-to-school event provides uniforms for 200+ at-risk students.
• Chicagoland Safe Communities InitiativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench Toast partners with Subway, Pepsi, and Goodsports.org to provide school uniform support for 400 students, physical activity programs, attendance initiatives, and food supply support in Chicago.
• BackPack BeginningsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to deliver child-centric services to feed, comfort and clothe children in need in Greensboro, NC. Focus on ensuring food and basic necessities are given directly to children.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in ISA (Importer Self-Assessment) and CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) programs. LTAG incorporates supply chain security processes ensuring compliance with U.S. customs requirements.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carter's Inc. Largest branded marketer of children's apparel in North America (Carter's, OshKosh, Skip Hop). Directly comparable in product category (children's apparel), customer base (families and major retailers), and wholesale plus DTC distribution model.
• G-III Apparel Group: Apparel company specializing in licensed and owned brands across multiple categories (DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger). Comparable through its licensing-driven, multi-brand wholesale model and global sourcing capabilities, though it spans broader categories than children's apparel.
• The Children's Place: Specialty retailer of children's apparel and accessories. Comparable as a children's apparel brand serving families and operating school uniform programs, though more retail-direct versus LT Apparel's wholesale/licensing model.
• Haddad Brands: Privately held apparel company that designs, sources, and distributes licensed children's apparel (e.g., Nike Kids, Levi's Kids) under long-term licensing agreements. Highly comparable business model to LT Apparel's adidas Kids and Carhartt Kids licensing structure.

Broad incumbents

• Delta Apparel: Apparel manufacturer and distributor with owned (Salt Life, COAST) and private-label brands plus school uniform offerings (Delta Education). Comparable in the school uniform and active apparel verticals served through wholesale.
• Hanesbrands: Major branded apparel manufacturer with school uniform lines (Champion, Hanes) and global manufacturing footprint. Comparable in scale of apparel manufacturing, school uniform exposure, and mass retail distribution.
• Oxford Industries: Apparel company with owned and licensed brands (Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer, Southern Tide). Comparable in operating a portfolio of branded apparel distributed through department stores and specialty retailers with global sourcing.
• PVH Corp: Owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, with a licensing-led model and global apparel supply chain. Comparable in licensing-driven growth, department store distribution, and international sourcing scale.
• Li & Fung: Global sourcing and apparel supply chain manager connecting brand owners with manufacturing across Asia and emerging markets. Comparable through its global, multi-country apparel sourcing network and B2B wholesale orientation.
• Perry Ellis International: Multi-category apparel company with licensed and owned brands across men's, women's, and children's. Comparable through its licensing-based revenue model and wholesale distribution to major retailers, though broader in category focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LT Apparel Group