With so much uncertainty threatening the apparel industry, sourcing executives are prioritizing resources, partners and production locations that provide stability. Emessa Denim, which has just entered the U.S. market after years of success in Europe, checks all of those boxes.

The Egypt-based denim resource is set up to help its partners minimize the risk inherent in placing large orders months in advance. “We have the right system and set up for small orders. It’s about material, inventory and production planning,” said founder Anis Trabulsi. “We work very easily with medium-size, higher end fashion brands in the EU that require frequent reorders, so we can accommodate these needs.”

Emessa’s factory is designed with flexibility in mind, with a variety of machines in the production line to cater to an array of styles. Additionally, workers and line supervisors are all cross trained so they can switch tasks, as needed. It’s not uncommon for the company to hold inputs in its warehouse for clients executing a postponement production model. Beyond that, Emessa’s proximity to fabric manufacturers like DNM and Sharabati is ideal for quick samples and reorders.

Add to that a 20-day maximum shipping time to the U.S. and 9 days to the EU, and Emessa is ideally positioned for slashing timelines and enabling partners to execute a chase model.

For buyers not familiar with Egypt, Trabulsi urges them to take a second look—the country hosts a variety of suppliers that offer products like t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweater knits that Emessa can help facilitate connections to. “Egypt is a very stable and safe country. The president has made many investments in infrastructure, which means Egypt rivals some parts of Europe,” Trabulsi said, adding the country boasts four international ports, superhighways connecting major cities and a consistent supply of natural gas. Egypt’s young, English-speaking population of more than 100 million equals a strong workforce, he added.