How we start
In 2016 Grace started a knitwear brand in Europe empowered by a large community of female artisans in Puno. It positioned itself in the European sustainable market and its operations began in Lima.
In 2017, she contacted Fatima (her great friend from university) to propose a business opportunity, to create a company focused on manufacturing and creating ancestral and innovative knitted designs adapted to the needs of international brands. With values and a clear mission to generate jobs for artisans in Peru and the world would recognize Peru as the key destination for the manufacture of sustainable knitwear.
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They became business partners and their friendship grew so much that they now consider themselves family.
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2018
Founded by Grace W. and Fatima P.
We started our operations with 2 brands and worked with 45 artisans specialists in handmade and manual machines from Puno and Juliaca (Southern provinces in Peru)
2019
Growing our client portfolio and artisans networking
We began to design, develop and produce for 5 international brands. Therefore, our collaborations with artisans diversified in 3 more provinces: Lima, Ancash and Arequipa, managing to work with 120 artisans specialized in knitting.
2020
Covid-19 and a big opportunity
Loungewear took over the market and many chose to consider knitwear. One of our largest clients in Los Angeles gave us the opportunity to manufacture their knitwear collections and the rest is history!
Our client portfolio grew to 10 fashion brands and we hired our first Account Manager.
2021
Our 1st Award! and a great year in sales
We won the Peruvian Company Award, exporting SMEs category 2021.
Also, we built up to more than 10 fashion brands, we gained loyalty from the old ones, and we collaborated with 180 artisans.
Likewise, we expanded our number of export countries to 6.
2022
Opening of our commercial office in The Netherlands
We opened a spot in Strijp-S, Eindhoven in The Netherlands. Strijp-S is the creative, design and innovation district of the city of Eindhoven. This opportunity gave us the opportunity to be closer to our European clients and manage processes more optimally due to the time zone.
Besides, we led the development and large production of our largest project yet, for a famous and historic American athletic brand for men.
Our team grew to 6 members, 250 artisans and more than 15 fashion brands.
2023
We obtained our Certifications
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Peru Brand Licensees
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Certification of Good Fair Trade Practices
We participated in trade fairs representing Peru in Tokyo and New York. We continue working with our 250 artisans from 4 provinces.
Our Commitment
Mission
We are a sourcing agent service company for B2B commercial management, design, logistics, subcontracted production, quality control and packaging of knitted garments made with Alpaca, Cotton and Blend yarns for international companies.
Our commitment is to permanently apply and promote fair trade practices with our workers, suppliers, customers and community. Offering premium quality products that combine modern technology with ancestral tradition, focusing our processes on ethical and social responsibility practices.
Vision
To achieve growth in the Peruvian export market and be perceived as a solid, modern and humane company, which values the ancestral traditions of Peruvian knitting, combining it with avant garde techniques.
Values
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Teamwork: Along our entire value chain.
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Commitment: To a work based on excellence with the client and with our suppliers.
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Respect: To our ancient Peruvian knitting culture.
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Quality: Always offer high-quality knitwear.
Teammwork makes the dream work
John
John C. Maxwell
Our Features
Our Artisans and Suppliers
Handmade Specialists
Our artisans located in Ancash and Puno, specialists in knitting by hand: sticks, crochet, macramé and embroidery; are communities of women led by women who have been passionately committed to knitting for generations. Experience, dedication, patience, attention to detail, and skill are the perfect formula to create knitted clothing with history and high quality.
Electronic Machine Specialists
Industrial machines require the expertise of technician artisans who elaborate a program to develop the pattern for the final garment. This program shows a preview of what the knit will be when it’s done: the aspect, the design, colors, and figures included, etc. We work with gauges from 3 to 12 gg.
Manual Machine Specialists
Artisanal or manual machines experts, called this way because they still need manual intervention to function.
The artisans work row by row using the machine as support.
This allows preserving their techniques while making the process a bit faster with a machine. In that sense, artisanal machines perpetuate the culture, sustainability and identity of our country.
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Yarn Mill Suppliers
We work with yarn from the biggest and most prestigious yarn mill companies in Peru. We use yarn from stock service that means we buy yarn as from 1kg up. We work with a variety of materials such as: Tanguis Cotton, Organic Cotton, Baby Alpaca, Alpaca, Merino Wool with Blends, natural blends, etc.
Learn about the certifications of our suppliers HERE
Meet out team
Our professional team is in charge of all our projects, from the first contact with our customers, to the sourcing and design of technical sheets, to the coordination with our artisans and suppliers, handmade and machine manufacturing, logistics, export and each link in the important chain for the success of our knitwear projects.
Quality Control Masters Program
Since day 1 Knit-Lab Perú has been working on the Quality Control Process by Seniors, giving an enormous contribution of value and experience to the company.
Giving excellent results to all exported garments, due to their observation, detail, responsibility and skills.
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Currently there are more than 10 seniors working with us in Quality Control.
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