Gambert Shirts hands leadership to third generation and expands U.S. sourcing

The Newark shirtmaker is moving executive leadership to Mitch Gambert as the family company marks more than 93 years in business. Gambert is also adding domestic fabric partnerships and broadening U.S.-made ready-to-wear as it leans further into American manufacturing.

Why it matters: - Gambert Shirts is signaling continuity in a U.S.-made niche where heritage, craftsmanship and domestic supply chains are part of the brand value. - The leadership handoff and new sourcing strategy position the Newark company to keep serving luxury retailers, clothiers and custom clients while scaling beyond bespoke work. - The shift also comes as tariffs and broader economic pressure are pushing apparel makers to rethink sourcing and production.

What happened: - Gambert Shirts announced that longtime leaders Mel and Lorraine Gambert have passed executive leadership to the third generation under Mitch Gambert. - The company said the transition keeps its more than 93-year legacy of domestic production intact. - Founded in 1933 by Joseph J. Gambert, the company operates from Newark’s Ironbound district. - Gambert hand-cuts and sews bespoke garments for premier clothiers, luxury retailers and custom clients nationwide. - The company is launching U.S.-sourced ready-to-wear as part of the next phase of the business.

The details: - American Woolen, based in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, is supplying U.S.-made fabric for Gambert’s ready-to-wear bench-crafted Sack Coats and Bomber Jackets. - Cotswold Industries, a fourth-generation American textiles manufacturer, is supplying verified Made-in-USA cotton fabrics for Gambert’s core custom shirt line. - The debut white oxford fabric, called US1776, has been well received by the market. - Gambert sells to luxury retailers, independent clothiers, premier clothiers and emerging designers. - The company has expanded its small-batch production capabilities to support independent and emerging designers. - Over the past year, Gambert invested in workshop infrastructure, advanced technology and broader product categories. - Gambert says those investments helped the business respond to shifting global tariffs and broader economic cycles. - Mitch Gambert said he wants to blend old-world artisanship and modern technologies to scale the business while maintaining quality. - Mel and Lorraine Gambert said in a joint statement that building the business with retail partners and artisans has been an extraordinary journey. - James McKinnon of Cotswold Industries said the partnership reinforces the future of American apparel manufacturing.

Between the lines: - Gambert is leaning harder into domestic sourcing at a time when many heritage luxury brands are being acquired by global fashion groups. - The company is using its American-made positioning as a differentiator against imported or offshore production models. - A collaboration debuting this spring at the new Barneys location in Naples, Florida, suggests Gambert is pairing heritage manufacturing with selective retail expansion. - Thomas Ott, a buying advisor for Barneys New York, said visiting the factory and working with Mitch and his team was truly amazing.

What's next: - Gambert will debut an exclusive collaboration this spring at the new Barneys location in Naples. - The company plans to scale the business while preserving its quality standards. - Gambert is expected to keep expanding both bespoke and small-batch domestic manufacturing programs. - More information is available on the company's website.

The bottom line: - Gambert Shirts is turning a third-generation leadership transition into a broader bet on U.S. manufacturing, domestic sourcing and selective growth.