COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2337

Women's/Misses' Suits and Coats

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

12companies1942–1975founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedAlgo Group Inc.FoundedAlgo Group Inc.
1942
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedFarah IncorporatedFoundedFarah Incorporated
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedUniFirst CorporationFoundedUniFirst Corporation
1950
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedOxford Industries, Inc.FoundedOxford Industries, Inc.
1960
FoundedKellwood CompanyFoundedKellwood Company
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedBernard Chaus, Inc.FoundedBernard Chaus, Inc.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Algo Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1942 · Canada
Founded in 1942 as a small dress manufacturer, Algo Group Inc.
Algo Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1942 · Canada
Founded in 1942 as a small dress manufacturer, Algo Group Inc.
Farah Incorporated →
Active · founded 1947
Farah Incorporated is a leading manufacturer and marketer of medium-priced men's and boys' apparel, with a particular…
Farah Incorporated →
Active · founded 1947
Farah Incorporated is a leading manufacturer and marketer of medium-priced men's and boys' apparel, with a particular…
UniFirst Corporation →
Active · founded 1950
UniFirst Corporation is a national leader in the fast-growing industrial and commercial garment industry.
UniFirst Corporation →
Active · founded 1950
UniFirst Corporation is a national leader in the fast-growing industrial and commercial garment industry.
Oxford Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1960
Oxford Industries, Inc., one of America's leading apparel manufacturers, has spent most of its history plotting a…
Oxford Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1960
Oxford Industries, Inc., one of America's leading apparel manufacturers, has spent most of its history plotting a…
Kellwood Company →
Active · founded 1961 · United States
Kellwood Company is a leading international private label and brand label manufacturer, marketer, and merchandiser of…
Kellwood Company →
Active · founded 1961 · United States
Kellwood Company is a leading international private label and brand label manufacturer, marketer, and merchandiser of…
Bernard Chaus, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Bernard Chaus, Inc.
Bernard Chaus, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Bernard Chaus, Inc.
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