West Africa’s DTRT Apparel secures funding from Red Bull and Verod Capital

Ghana-based clothing manufacturer and exporter DTRT Apparel has received an undisclosed sum of investment from Red Bull and Verod Capital Management, registering a massive boost for apparel manufacturing in West Africa.

Through a global network spanning three continents, DTRT Apparel procures textiles from Asia and supplies to major US-and EU-based brands.

Skip Richmond – co-founder and co-CEO of DTRT Apparel said: “Given today’s global macro-economics, apparel brands are increasingly looking for cost competitive, socially responsible, long-term manufacturing alternatives outside Asia.

“This milestone deal is an affirmation of our vision of sustainable apparel manufacturing in Ghana – with the highest production, environmental and labour standards – and affords us the opportunity to significantly expand our production capacity and capabilities to make DTRT Africa’s leading apparel manufacturer.

“We’re very excited to work with our partners and strategic investors to drive growth and provide our value-added services on a larger scale to current and future customers.”

Red Bull and Verod Capital invest in DTRT Apparel. Photo courtesy of DWilliams from Pixabay.

Austrian energy drinks producer Red Bull will be an anchor customer for DTRT Apparel, which will be a part of Red Bull’s global apparel sourcing operations.

The DTRT business model is based on environmental sustainability. The firm works with suppliers to manufacture a polyester fabric that requires 80% less water for dyeing than the traditional fabric-dyeing process.

Using the fabric, DTRT estimates to have saved over 200,000,000 litres of water for the past five years.

Danladi Verheijen – managing director of Verod Capital said: “The DTRT team are highly experienced operators who are also 100% committed to improving the lives of West Africans, which aligns with the mission of Verod Capital.

“We look forward to working with the Founders to build up this business but also to help West Africa become a major hub for apparel manufacturing.”

DTRT Apparel, which benefits from supportive trade arrangements between the US/EU and Ghana, employs more than 2,000 people, mostly women, at its facility in Accra.