What Next Level Apparel does

Next Level Apparel (legal entity YS Garments, LLC) is a wholesale producer and seller of premium blank apparel, headquartered at 588 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, California, and founded in 2003 by Joe Simsoly. The company designs and sources blank garments across men's, women's, and youth categories — short sleeve, long sleeve, tanks, fleece, and pants — organized around 14 proprietary fabric platforms (Fine Jersey, Lightweight Jersey, CVC Jersey, Sueded Jersey, Spandex Jersey, Lightweight French Terry, Tri-Blend Jersey, 65/35 Poly Cotton Heathers, Burnout Jersey, Waffle Thermal, Lightweight Poly Cotton Jersey, Mock Twist Jersey, Inspired Dye, and various Fleece constructions). These fabrics are engineered on exclusive machinery with premium ring-spun and combed yarns for decoration compatibility across screen printing, discharge printing, sublimation, embroidery, and DTF processes. Key SKUs include the 7200 Heavyweight T-Shirt, 1810 Ideal Tubular T-Shirt, CVC Long Sleeve Hoodie, and ECO Sustainable and Festival collections.

The company operates an exclusively B2B, wholesale-only go-to-market with no direct-to-consumer channel and no minimum order quantities. Pricing is quote-based and volume-tiered; Net 30 credit is offered through factor relationships with CIT Group and Sterling National Bank. Orders are accepted via website, email, fax, showroom, EDI (ANSI X12, EDIFACT, EASI, XML), API, and the PromoStandards protocol. Fulfillment runs through a LEED Platinum-certified California headquarters warehouse and an Alabama warehouse, with manufacturing and operational presence across the U.S., Central America, Dominican Republic, the EU, and Asia.

Customers are apparel decorators (screen printers, embroiderers), promotional products distributors, and event merchandisers who purchase blanks to embellish and resell. The value proposition centers on consistent blank quality for high-volume production runs, broad fabric and color selection, and a layered sustainability and labor compliance portfolio: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol membership, Oritain Gold-level forensic origin verification, Fair Labor Association accreditation pursuit, WRAP Gold/Platinum certification across manufacturing facilities, Better Work participation in applicable countries, and LEED Platinum headquarters since 2013. The company reported $282 million in 2024 North American revenue (ranked 7th among promotional products suppliers) and 500+ employees. Brett Bjorkman succeeded founder Joe Simsoly as CEO in October 2025, and the company carries a Caa3 Moody's debt rating with revolver and term loan maturities in 2026.

Name

Next Level Apparel

Legal name

YS Garments, LLC

Website

https://nextlevelapparel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Next Level Apparel is a wholesale producer of premium blank apparel founded in 2003, serving screen printers, embroiderers, and promotional products distributors with 14 proprietary fabric platforms engineered for decoration compatibility. The company operates B2B across U.S., Central America, Dominican Republic, EU, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Blank Apparel Manufacturing

NAICS

Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers (424350), Apparel Manufacturing (315)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Branded Merchandise & Promotional Apparel Wholesale (CRAOADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainable / Ethical Apparel & Accessories Wholesale (CRAOADAJ)

Keywords

• Wholesale blank apparel
• Premium cotton t-shirts
• Apparel screen printing blanks
• Promotional products apparel
• B2B apparel manufacturer

Headquarters

HQ city

Gardena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Apparel Sales: B2B wholesale model selling premium blank apparel exclusively to apparel decorators such as screen printers, embroiderers, and promotional products companies. Products are designed to be embellished and resold. No direct-to-consumer sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Next Level Apparel is a wholesale manufacturer and supplier of premium blank apparel—including t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, fleece, woven shirts, and bottoms—built across 14 proprietary fabric platforms and six core collections (100% Cotton, Original CVC, Tri-Blend Luxury, Heavyweight, Festival, ECO Sustainable). The company sells exclusively B2B to apparel decorators, screen printers, embroiderers, and promotional products distributors through wholesale accounts, EDI/API integrations, and showrooms, with no direct-to-consumer channel.

Product overview

Next Level Apparel is a wholesale producer and seller of premium blank apparel, founded in 2003, operating as the #1 wholesale provider of elevated blank apparel. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of fabric platforms including 100% Cotton, CVC (60/40 Cotton/Polyester), Tri-Blend (Polyester/Cotton/Rayon), Heavyweight, Spandex Jersey, Lightweight French Terry, and various specialty fabrics like Burnout, Waffle Thermal, and Sueded. Their product line spans men's, women's, and youth categories across styles including short sleeve, long sleeve, tanks, fleece, and pants. Key products include the 7200 Heavyweight T-Shirt, 1810 Ideal Tubular T-Shirt, CVC Long Sleeve Hoodie, and various Festival and sustainable offerings. All products are designed for decoration (screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, DTF printing) and sold exclusively to wholesale customers who embellish for resale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 100% Cotton Collection

Quantifiable outcome

• LEED Platinum certified headquarters facility maintained since 2013

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• DisplayItcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Partnership with DisplayIt for trade show booth design, resulting in a 40x40 island concept featuring an open, barrier-free retail-inspired design emphasizing product interaction, sustainability, and modular reusable components. This design won Gold at the 2026 Hermes Creative Awards.
• OritaincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Next Level Apparel joined Oritain's Global Membership Program at Gold level, expanding forensic origin verification of cotton textile products. Gold Membership provides faster test turnaround times, dedicated account management, and supply chain insights for verification across global supply chains. Partnership reinforces ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency, offering independent science-based verification from fiber through to finished product.
• U.S. Cotton Trust ProtocolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Next Level Apparel joined U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol as member brand and retailer. Cotton sourcing evaluated against measurable sustainability indicators including soil health, water use, nutrient management, and greenhouse gas emissions, with digital tracking providing verified visibility from fiber to finished apparel.
• Got SoleflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Next Level Apparel named official apparel partner for Got Sole's 2026 U.S. culture festival series touring Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami. Partnership includes limited-edition custom sneaker boxes featuring artwork by Brooklyn-born artist Kever Ones, with each box containing Next Level Apparel's 7200 Heavyweight T-Shirts. Creative production handled by Hittn' Skins. Collaboration connects blank apparel products with sneaker enthusiasts, streetwear collectors, and fashion creators at live events.
• Fair Labor Association (FLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPursuing Fair Labor Accreditation through the FLA, an international network ensuring factories pay fairly and protect worker health and safety. NLA upholds FLA's Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing across global supply chain.
• WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent third-party certification program. Next Level Apparel requires all manufacturing facilities to maintain Gold or Platinum WRAP certification. Each facility undergoes rigorous annual social compliance audit based on WRAP's 12 Principles.
• Better WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Labour Organization program helping garment factories improve working conditions. Next Level Apparel requires all factories in Better Work countries to participate. Program includes regular independent assessments and on-site advisory services.
• AltanasupportingTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered product network for global commerce providing supply chain visibility, enforcement of trade regulations, and risk management across supply chain tiers.
• VertrusupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner for enhanced risk assessment and traceability using AI to surface factory-level information including potential forced labor risks, worker rights violations, certifications, and real-time updates across all supply chain tiers.
• TrusTracesupportingTechnology or IntegrationSupply chain traceability platform providing full visibility from raw material to finished product, enabling ethical and responsible sourcing, regulatory compliance, and real-time sustainability data.
• USGBC (LEED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNext Level Apparel's headquarters and warehouse in Torrance, CA has maintained LEED Platinum certification since 2013, demonstrating leadership in sustainable building design, construction, and operation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bella+Canvas: Bella+Canvas is a leading U.S.-based wholesale blank apparel manufacturer focused on premium tees, fleece, and tanks sold to apparel decorators and screen printers — a near-twin of Next Level Apparel in target customer, fabric innovation, and B2B wholesale model.
• LAT Apparel: LAT Apparel is a wholesale blank apparel brand focused on t-shirts and fleece for screen printers, embroiderers, and promotional distributors — competing head-to-head with NLA in the same decoration-focused customer base.
• District (by Vortex / SanMar family): District is a wholesale blank apparel brand distributed through SanMar targeting decorators and promotional products distributors with tees, fleece, and outerwear — a directly comparable blank-apparel brand sold into the same promotional channel as Next Level Apparel.
• Augusta Sportswear: Augusta Sportswear manufactures and wholesales blank athletic apparel, including tees, shorts, and uniforms, to team dealers, decorators, and screen printers — directly overlapping with NLA's apparel decorator customer base and product categories.
• Los Angeles Apparel: Los Angeles Apparel is a U.S.-domestic manufacturer of premium blank apparel sold wholesale to decorators and brands — directly comparable to NLA in premium positioning, U.S. manufacturing emphasis, and screen-print-friendly fabric development.
• Anvil Knitwear: Anvil Knitwear produces wholesale blank t-shirts, fleece, and polos for apparel decorators and screen printers — a legacy direct peer competing in the same B2B decorator channel as Next Level Apparel.
• Alstyle (Encompass Group): Alstyle is a wholesale blank apparel manufacturer producing cotton tees and fleece for the screen print and promotional products markets — a long-standing competitor in the same decorator-supply category as NLA.

Broad incumbents

• Gildan: Gildan is one of the world's largest vertically integrated basic apparel manufacturers selling blank t-shirts, fleece, and socks through wholesale to decorators, screen printers, and promotional distributors — overlapping directly with NLA's core category but at significantly greater scale and lower price points.
• Hanesbrands (Hanes, Champion): Hanesbrands produces mass-market basics including Hanes and Champion blanks sold through wholesale to decorators and screen printers — a broad incumbent competing with NLA primarily on price and scale in commodity blank categories.
• Fruit of the Loom: Fruit of the Loom is a mass-market basics manufacturer selling blank t-shirts, sweatshirts, and underwear wholesale to decorators, screen printers, and promotional distributors — a broad incumbent with overlapping category presence but a value-tier positioning versus NLA's premium focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/next-level-apparel
• TikToktiktok.com/@nextlevelapparel
• Xx.com/nextleveltees
• Facebookfacebook.com/NextLevelApparelClothing

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Next Level Apparel