By Troy Turner
SELMA — American Apparel Inc., a Selma-based company with a longstanding history of providing apparel needs for the military, recently received in its latest deal a $14.3 million contract to provide blouses and trousers for the U.S. Marine Corps.
More notable, however, is that American Apparel has become a reliable model of consistency for the Department of Defense, which continues to use the company for a wide range of apparel needs for all branches of the military.
A January 2025 contract for more than $5 million tapped American Apparel for providing various clothing items described by the company as “improved, hot-weather combat uniforms,” for the Army and Air Force.
An October 2024 deal for $11 million called for tropical combat uniform blouses and trousers for the Marine Corps.
In November 2023, the company earned a nearly $32 million contract to provide all-weather coats for the Air Force and Coast Guard.
An earlier coat order in July 2023 awarded an impressive, almost $83 million deal for the Army.
And in April 2023, American Apparel was awarded a $71.5 million opportunity to provide blouses, trousers and maternity blouses and slacks to the Marine Corps.
Numerous other contracts predate these and go back to 1987.
Four Alabama locations
Although headquartered in Selma, American Apparel also has plants in three other Alabama locations: Opp, Centre and Oneonta.
The Selma site made headlines in 2012 when Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell was joined by senior procurement executives from the Defense Logistics Agency based in Philadelphia to tour and meet with company representatives at the factory headquarters in Selma.
Sewell had invited the agency representatives to discuss military procurement opportunities for the Alabama company.
“This was a unique opportunity to showcase American Apparel and the hardworking individuals of 7th Congressional District as shining examples of what businesses can do with the resources and opportunities provided to this district,” Sewell said after the visit.
American Apparel has continued to produce combat and utility uniforms, among various other apparel products.
“American Apparel is not only a valued employer in the district, but also a key partner with DLA in helping ensure that our military combat units are prepared and equipped with essential life-saving combat uniforms,” Sewell said. “We were able to establish and engage in a meaningful dialogue about the procurement process and industry needs and concerns.
“I applaud American Apparel and the Defense Logistics Agency for their commitment to maintaining and strengthening this essential partnership between businesses and the federal government.”
The ordering period end date for the most recent contract is April 2026, with the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the contracting agency.
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be contacted at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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