What We Do
Custom Sewing Solutions for OEMs
Manufacturing industrial sewn products requires far more than basic sewing capabilities. Products used in medical devices, fire and safety equipment, military gear, and power sports applications must meet performance, durability, and safety requirements.
For more than 75 years, Polo Custom Products has partnered with OEM manufacturers to design, engineer, and manufacture high-performance sewn assemblies used in demanding environments. Our team supports companies across a wide range of industries from prototype development to full production manufacturing, Polo provides OEM partners with the experience, materials expertise, and manufacturing infrastructure needed to bring complex sewn products to market.
What Is Industrial Sewing for OEM Products?
Industrial sewing is a specialized manufacturing process used to create durable sewn components and assemblies designed for professional and industrial applications.
Unlike consumer sewing or basic textile production, industrial sewing often involves:
- Multi-layer materials and reinforced seams
- High-strength technical fabrics
- Engineered product designs
- Integration with foams, films, and structural components
- Precision manufacturing equipment
Products produced through industrial sewing frequently operate in environments where performance and reliability are critical. Because of these requirements, OEM companies often rely on experienced contract manufacturers that understand both engineering requirements and manufacturing scalability.
Specialty Materials: The Foundation of a Reliable Product
When it comes to custom sewn products, choosing the right material is a critical step in the process. Each project requires its own specific set of materials to meet the specifications and safety standards demanded by the partner. Custom sewing contractors, like Polo, not only understand the importance of selecting the proper material but also have established relationships with suppliers worldwide to source the best materials for the job. We have over 100 years of experience within our supply chain team that aids in the process of supplier communication and performance.
From durable vinyl and nylon to high-performance fabrics like Kevlar®, Nomex®, and PBI, Polo have access to an array of specialized materials designed to withstand the harshest environments and toughest situations. These materials are often formulated to meet specific needs, such as water resistance, chemical resistance, UV protection, puncture resistance, and cold crack resistance.
At Polo, our global network of trusted suppliers ensures that we can meet your material specifications no matter how unique or challenging they may be. Our Product Development & Engineering resources enable us to source specialized films, flexible fabrics, and even flame-resistant or impact-resistant materials to enhance the functionality and safety of the final product.
Polo Custom Products: Industrial Sewing Contractor
Polo Custom Products offers advanced sewing capabilities that support both product development and large-scale production.
Our industrial sewing operations are designed to support complex sewn assemblies and specialized product designs.
Capabilities include:
- Heavy-duty industrial sewing equipment
- Multi-layer sewing of technical fabrics and films
- Reinforced stitching for structural components
- Integration of foam, padding, and structural materials
- Custom pattern development and prototyping
- Complex sewn assemblies and product sub-assemblies
Our engineering and product development teams work closely with OEM partners to ensure products are optimized for design for manufacturability (DFM) and efficient production.
This collaborative approach helps companies bring new products to market faster while maintaining the highest levels of product quality.
Specialty Materials Used in Industrial Sewing
Material selection is one of the most important factors in developing high-performance sewn products. Each OEM application has unique requirements, and the materials used must meet the functional demands of the final product.
Polo works with a wide range of technical textiles and specialty materials, including:
- Vinyl and coated fabrics
- Nylon and ballistic fabrics
- Polyurethane films
- Kevlar® and Nomex®
- PBI high-performance fibers
- EVA foam and structural padding
- Flexible films and laminated materials
These materials can be engineered to deliver specific performance characteristics such as:
- Flame resistance
- Chemical resistance
- UV protection
- Puncture resistance
- Waterproofing
- Cold crack resistance
Industries That Rely on Industrial Sewing
Sewn components are used in a wide range of industries where durability and safety are critical.
Polo Custom Products supports OEM manufacturers in sectors including:
Medical Devices
- Ventricular assist devices
- Fluid containment systems
- Protective patient equipment
Fire and Safety Equipment
- SCBA shoulder and lumbar harnesses
- Structural safety gear components
- Protective equipment assemblies
Government and Defense
- Chemical protective patient wraps
- Military support equipment
- Tactical textile assemblies
Industrial Equipment
- Equipment covers
- Protective textile assemblies
- Specialized sewn components used in industrial machinery
Examples of Custom Sewn OEM Products
Because each OEM product is unique, industrial sewing contractors must be capable of producing a wide variety of specialized sewn assemblies.
At Polo Custom Products, we manufacture products such as:
- SCBA shoulder and lumbar harness systems
- Sensitive equipment carrying cases
- Custom carrying bags and belt pouch assemblies
- Industrial protective covers
- Medical device sewn assemblies
- Ventricular assist device components
- Chemical protective patient wraps for the U.S. Department of Defense
Each product is designed and manufactured according to the exact specifications of the OEM partner.
Why OEM Companies Partner with Polo Custom Products
OEM companies often require more than just a sewing contractor. They need a manufacturing partner that understands engineering requirements, regulatory standards, and scalable production.
Polo Custom Products supports OEM partners through every stage of the product lifecycle, including:
Product Design Collaboration
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Prototype Development
Production Manufacturing
Quality and Regulatory Compliance
Our facilities include over 260,000 square feet of U.S. manufacturing space, supported by additional global production partners. This allows Polo to support both specialized low-volume manufacturing and high-volume production programs.
Our quality systems and certifications support industries where safety and compliance are critical.
Start Your Custom Sewing Project with Polo
Whether you are developing a new product or improving an existing design, Polo Custom Products has the experience and capabilities to support your project.
Request a Quote today to start your custom sewing project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Custom Sewing?
Custom sewing at Polo Custom Products is personalized sewing solutions tailored to fit customer needs. Polo specializes in sewing products to meet the customers unique designs.
We work closely with our customers to source specialized materials and integrate quality into every stage of the product, while maintaining cost efficiency.
What Types of Products Can You Create?
Polo has a long history of producing a diverse range of sewn goods and continues to be committed to exploring new opportunities.
We have produced wearable defibrillator vests, safety harnesses, firefighter tank covers, shoulder/lumbar pads, curtain dividers, motorcycle backrests, saddlebags, , and thermoformed cases.
This is a small list of the varied products Polo has sewn over the years.
What Materials Do You Work With?
Polo uses a variety of materials with different thicknesses and weights. Ex: lightweight nylons, polyester, spandex, nonwovens, canvas, expanded/supported vinyls, PVC, leather, Kevlar and Nomex to name a few.
We use a variety of foams, crosslink polyethylene, EVA, urethane, and neoprene.
Welting and binding are used to finish seams.
Variety of webbings are used, such as: Nomex, Kevlar, polyester, polypropylene, cotton and nylon.
Many different types of hardware such as: zippers, snaps and grommets, snaphooks and buckles.
If we do not have a material in inventory, Polo’s Supply Chain will source the specialized materials.
Can I Provide My Own Design?
Yes, we welcome your own design ideas. We’ve successfully worked from a variety of formats including , brainstormed ideas, hand-drawn sketches, mock prototypes, and blueprints. The design team will review design ideas and provide recommendations focused on cost-saving opportunities and production efficiency.
What is the Minimum Order Quantity?
MOQ varies by project and is determined based on production volumes, overall revenue, material minimums, and associated material liability.
MOQ would be conveyed once a quote is created.
How Long Does the Production Process Take?
Several factors influence the duration of the production process, and we will review these during a touchpoint to ensure your needs are met.
Do You Offer Prototyping Services?
Yes we do offer prototype services. These services are through Polo’s Product Development department, made up of Engineers and Designers.
This includes sampling, patterns, necessary tooling and programming for specialized stitch patterns.
A non-recurring engineering (NRE) fee applies, which is based on the time required for development.
What Quality Assurance Measures Are in Place?
Polo Custom Products adheres to the ISO 9001:2015 for general quality management and ISO 13485:2016 for medical device manufacturing.
We are also FDA QSR 21 CFR part 820 for compliance with FDA regulations.
Quality is integrated throughout the product lifecycle from design to delivery.
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process includes early involvement of quality teams during product and process design.
This includes dedicated personnel supporting quality planning until manufacturing launch.
Ongoing quality support during production and post-shipment.
During production, in-process and final testing is performed.
For tests beyond in-house capabilities, Polo collaborates with certified external labs.
Each manufacturing location has a dedicated quality team responsible for continuous inspections, process audits, and final product verification.
What We Do
Custom Sewn Since 1947
In addition to our sewing capabilities, Polo Custom Products has the ability to design and procure non-core components that work in conjunction with a sewn component. Examples include injection molded or blow molded trays and tubs, metal stamped brackets, CNC machined parts, specialty packaging and others.
We're all you need.
Turn to us, we’re one of the best contract sewing companies that specializes in custom industrial sewing.