Canadian apparel manufacturer Printeez is opening its first U.S. operation in Lakewood Ranch as the company expands its American manufacturing footprint.
The Quebec-based print-on-demand and embroidery company has leased a 34,020-square-foot industrial facility at 11125 Gatewood Drive in Gates Creek Corporate Center, where it will establish its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing hub.
The facility will support direct-to-garment printing, direct-to-film production and embroidery services for American customers, which the company identified as its fastest-growing market.
“We are incredibly excited to establish our U.S. manufacturing footprint in the Lakewood Ranch area,” said Shawn Sckoropad, CEO of Printeez. “This new facility represents a major milestone for Printeez, allowing us to bring our premium garment printing operations closer to our American customers while contributing to the vibrant economic growth of Southwest Florida.”
The expansion gives Printeez its first U.S.-based manufacturing and fulfillment presence as customized apparel companies push for faster shipping and more control over fulfillment.
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Sckoropad said the company selected the Lakewood Ranch area because of its transportation infrastructure, workforce growth and proximity to major shipping corridors across the Southeast.
“The Lakewood Ranch area is a booming, business-friendly economic hub, which makes it an ideal base for distributing our products efficiently across the United States,” Sckoropad said. “This location will allow us to control our entire supply chain natively and provide much faster, seamless service to our American clients.”
Printeez will occupy space within Building 2 at Gates Creek Corporate Center, a newly completed 112,914-square-foot industrial building developed by Richland Capital Holdings. The property includes 32-foot clear heights and a 175-foot truck court designed for warehouse, manufacturing and logistics use.
The company will customize the shell space for manufacturing, warehousing and office functions.
“The property’s modern design and flexible layout will allow the company to optimize workflow efficiencies across its production and distribution processes,” said Nick DeVito II of Ian Black Real Estate. “We were thrilled to work with Printeez on this lease and to play a small part in bringing this thriving business to American soil.”
Nick DeVito II and Brie Tulp of Ian Black Real Estate represented the landlord alongside Trey Carswell and Lisa Ross of Cushman & Wakefield. The tenant did not have outside broker representation.
The Lakewood Ranch expansion comes as Printeez also scales its Canadian footprint. The company is building a separate 41,000-square-foot production and warehouse facility in Quebec.
Printeez expects to begin U.S. production this summer.
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