5 Foremost Sweater Manufacturers in South Africa

Image Source: Xtclothes website

In the textile industry, knitwear has been a long-existing staple, and its demands have been growing recently. Not only is a high-quality knitwear sweater the best option for chilly weather, but its manufacturing has evolved to include different outfits, ranging from everyday wear to high-quality custom orders.

Now that you are entering the textile industry and may not have the capacity to employ large factories to cater to your customers' growing demands. Does this dilemma sound familiar? Well, there’s good news for you! That’s why we wrote this article—to answer all your burning questions.

At Zhongshan Xingtai Clothing, we are interested in showing you the ropes of the best sweater manufacturers in South Africa, with the highest quality and standards.

Before we discuss the five foremost manufacturers of knitwear in South Africa, it is important to understand how the industry operates and what your customers want before you choose the right supplier for your wholesale orders.

The Knitwear Industry in South Africa: Understand the Market

There has been a steady growth in South Africa’s knitwear industry, and both local and international interest has been piqued. Demand is also at an all-time high. It might interest you that The South African textile industry, including knitwear, significantly contributes to the country's economy. In 2022 alone, the industry generated an approximate revenue of ZAR 25 billion ($1.7 billion).

According to Yahoo Finance, the knitwear manufacturing industry will experience a CAGR of 4 to 5% in the next five years. Moreso, people are demanding locally made knitwear such as sweaters for fashion and comfort, which is contributing to the market growth.

If you are reading this, it means you have an idea of the growing demand. The market is ready to accommodate your business, so Zhongshan Xingtai Clothing is here to show you how to enter it.

5 Foremost Sweater Manufacturers in South Africa by Quality Standard

To the gist of the article, which sweater supplier should you consider purchasing wholesale from, especially as a startup business? Remember, you must consider quality and standards to satisfy your customers. We have put together the foremost sweater manufacturers you need.

Keep reading to find out more.

1. Caltoni Knitwear Manufacturers

Image Source: Caltoni Knitwear Website

Year founded: 1990
Address: 18 Lathe Street Amalgam, 2025 Johannesburg.
Sweater products: Hoodies, cardigans, sweatshirts, jerseys, etc.

Caltoni Knitwear Manufacturers in Johannesburg supplies high-quality sweaters and knitwear wholesale to corporate organizations, schools, and online retailers in South Africa. They use advanced industrial technology for production and offer customization services, including embroidery, custom stitching, colors, and designs.

With an in-house embroidery facility, the company provides branded clothing ready for immediate delivery. Its durable knitwear is made from low pill yarn, ensuring a professional finish. Factory tours are available to showcase its comprehensive manufacturing process. So, here’s a summary of what we have said so far:

Quality: Uses the highest quality low-pill yarn
Wholesale Options: Yes
Custom Designs: Available
Factory Tours: Yes

2. Kalla Knitwear Manufacturers

Image Source: Kalla Knitwear Website

Year founded: 1976
Address: 29 Julbert Rd, Benrose, Johannesburg, 2011
Sweater products: Sportswear, Sweatshirts, Cardigans, Jersey etc.

Kalla Knitwear is another top knitwear manufacturer/supplier in South Africa. They describe themselves as ‘The evolution of knitwear, ' and their statement is true. Kalla was established in 1976, showing how long they have been in the industry.

Kalla offers various knitwear styles, ranging from sweaters to jerseys and lots more. These include multiple options and styles like corporate, school wear, fashion, etc., ensuring you can cater to your different customers’ needs and preferences. What you get if you choose to make the Kalla factory one of your suppliers:

Quality: Use low-pill fiber for all sweater types to ensure the best quality and durability.
Wholesale Options: Offer a wide range of textile design options at wholesale prices.
Custom Designs: Design options include modern, contemporary designs exclusive to your brand (depending on your arrangement).
Factory Tours: Yes
Quick delivery: Fully optimized and highly automated to ensure fast delivery on your bulk orders.

3. Poly Nation

Image Source: Poly Nation Website

Year founded: 1924
Address: 5 London Rd, Salt River, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Sweater products: Unisex hoodies, Vest, Long sleeves, Crew neck, Cardigan sweaters, Jerseys etc.

Poly Nation's core offerings are quality, variety, and convenience for all clients. The enterprise primarily serves wholesalers, which makes it an ideal choice for businesses and startups aiming to excel in the knitwear industry.

Whether you’re a corporate entity, a brand, an event organizer, a shirt printer, or a hospitality company, Poly Nation has curated a comprehensive inventory of the most popular fabrics, colors, and finished styles to meet all your needs swiftly and at competitive prices. Reasons to choose Polynation include;

Quality: Products have been approved for quality and ethical practices by leading international brand audits.
Wholesale options: Offer comes at competitive prices.
Customization: Choose custom labels and packaging. Explore a range of materials, including acrylic, wool, and cashmere. It also employs embroidery, jacquard, and other craft techniques.
Factory Tours: Poly Nation offers clients detailed information about product quality control procedures and production processes for convenience.

4. Reliance Clothing

Image Source: Reliance Clothing Website

Year founded: 1999
Address: 1A Lower Scott Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
Sweater products: Custom hoodie sweatshirts, Custom zip hoodies, etc., for men and women.

Here is a fashion leader who utilizes fully computerized patterns to make a wide range of knitted garments - Tees, vests, shorts, promotional wear, and other clothing. With more than 2 decades in the knitwear industry, Reliance Clothing understands what it takes to make top-notch products and maintain consistency throughout production.

Reliance Clothing is unwaveringly committed to meeting customers' needs, responding quickly to market demands, and delivering on time to achieve its supply aims and objectives. Promotional wear also comes at affordable prices, offering superior fabric. You want to choose Reliance Clothing for the following reasons;

Quality: Uses the finest quality fabrics in the market - different assortment of cotton.
Wholesale options: Retail offers at competitive price
Customization: Clients decide on colors and designs
Factory Tours: Open to all

5. Nomvula’s Knitters

Image Source: Nomvula’s Website

Year founded: 2008
Address: 127 Fordyce Road Walmer, Gqeberha (formally known as Port Elizabeth), South Africa
Sweater Products: Pullovers, Zipper hoodies, Knitted children’s hoodies, Cardigans, Custom Accessories, Knit beanie collections, etc.

Nomvula’s Knitters has been a manufacturer for over 12 years now. Yet, this is not a hindrance to the high-quality knitwear they produce. The investment supplies not just the wholesale market in South Africa but also boutiques in London, New York, Stockholm, and Sydney so that you can be sure of its quality.

As a startup, Nomvula’s Knitters is a great option for ordering quantities as low as ten pieces. Moreover, the brand uses hand-operated, flat-bed home knitting machines imported from England. This means items are not mass-produced. Here’s why South African sweater brands choose Nomvula;

Quality: Nomvula uses natural yarns, such as wool, mohair, hand-dyed bamboo, and organic cotton, to produce high-quality products.
Wholesale options: 10 to 4000 garments per design
Customization: Clients can generate designs and colors from their online store or provide yarn and/or designs.
Factory Tours: Open to all

How to Decide the Right Knitwear-sweater Manufacturer: 5 Tips for Businesses

1. Do your Research

Before choosing a knitwear supplier, check their reputation and reviews. Also, ensure they have experience working with businesses at all levels and can accommodate your demands.

2. Ask for Samples

Get a few samples to verify the quality and craftsmanship of their sweaters before placing large orders. At Zhongshan Xingtai Clothing, we do sample production after confirming your sweater details. On completion (7-8 days), the samples are sent via DHL/UPS for inspection. Once our client is satisfied, we massively produce batches through our powerful production line.

3. Clarify Terms

Make sure that payment terms, delivery schedule, and return policies are well clarified in writing. Also, discuss the various payment options available in the logistic service for easy transactions.

4. Custom Options

Outline your specific needs with your suppliers to ensure they can meet those requirements. That is why we are your one-stop customization brand with decades of experience. We receive your design files, synchronize them with your ideas, and deliver the desired quality. Our customized service has a lot to say.

5. Visit the Factory

If you can, visit the manufacturers’ knitwear factories to check the production processes and quality standards. Our factories are constantly under surveillance and formally audited at least twice yearly by BSCI to sustain the highest possible standard.

Conclusion

If you read this article to the end, you are well on your way to establishing a successful sweater knitwear startup that meets your customers' needs. These are some of the best sweater manufacturers in South Africa, and they are perfect for businesses that need small or bulk quantities.

We already highlighted the unique qualities of these brands. By considering our suggestions, you will get top-notch sweaters that will put your business in the limelight. For more insights on our custom sweaters and accessories knitwear for stocking, let’s hear from you. Don’t deprive your brand of this incredible opportunity. Contact us today. We are your certified producer!

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