Under Armour has faced supply chain crises, factory disruptions, raw material delays, and shifting global sourcing pressures—but unlike many brands, it stayed surprisingly stable.
As someone who works with OEM and performancewear manufacturers, I’ve seen firsthand why UA’s supply chain model is unusually resilient and how emerging brands can apply the same principles.
This article breaks down the simple, practical lessons any brand can learn from UA’s system—and how to build a more reliable supply chain in 2025 and beyond.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer
- 1. Why Under Armour’s Supply Chain Is Considered Resilient
- 2. Key Strategies UA Uses to Stay Stable
- 3. What Smaller Brands Can Learn and Apply
- 4. Supply Chain: UA vs. New Activewear Brands
- 5. Who Should Follow UA’s Lessons?
- FAQs
- Partnering With FuKi Gymwear
Quick Answer
Under Armour’s supply chain resilience comes from diversified sourcing, long-term factory partnerships, performance-focused materials, and flexible manufacturing regions.
This combination allows UA to maintain stable output even when global logistics are unpredictable.
💬 From my OEM experience, new brands can become “mini UA” by focusing on flexibility, strong factory relationships, and smart risk distribution.
1. Why Under Armour’s Supply Chain Is Considered Resilient
Under Armour has built a system designed to survive shocks.
✔ 1. Multi-country sourcing
UA distributes production across Asia + the Middle East.
✔ 2. Long-term, loyal factory partners
UA values stability over short-term savings.
✔ 3. Region-specific specialties
Example:
- Vietnam → jerseys & training wear
- Jordan → bulk apparel
- China → technical fabrics
✔ 4. Performance-first materials
Technical products rely on stable, controlled suppliers.
✔ 5. Strong compliance & audit systems
This prevents sudden disruptions due to failed audits.
💬 Many new brands collapse because they depend on one factory. UA avoids that entirely.
2. Key Strategies UA Uses to Stay Stable
| Strategy | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-country sourcing | Production split across regions | Lower risk |
| Tiered supplier model | A/B factory system | Backup options |
| Material stock programs | Pre-controlled yarn supply | Faster lead times |
| Predictive forecasting | Data + athlete demand | Fewer delays |
| Strong compliance | Stable factory partnerships | No sudden shutdowns |
💬 In OEM production, the suppliers with the tightest systems are usually the strongest during crises.
3. What Smaller Brands Can Learn and Apply
These lessons apply even if you're not a billion-dollar brand.
🔹 1. Don’t rely on one factory
Have at least 1 primary + 1 backup supplier.
🔹 2. Use flexible MOQs
It reduces stress during delays.
🔹 3. Focus on fabrics that have stable raw materials
Example: recycled nylon, polyester blends, brushed knits.
🔹 4. Work with factories that communicate fast
Fast communication = fewer mistakes.
🔹 5. Build long-term relationships
Brands that switch factories constantly lose quality + stability.
💬 In my experience, the most successful small brands are the ones who treat their OEM as a partner, not a vendor.
4. Supply Chain: UA vs. New Activewear Brands
| Aspect | Under Armour | New Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Factory network | 20+ global partners | Usually 1–2 suppliers |
| Fabric stability | Proprietary material programs | Limited fabric sourcing |
| Risk strategy | Backup regions | High dependency |
| Production volume | Predictable | Fluctuating |
| Lead time | Faster due to systems | Slower but flexible |
💬 Smaller brands can’t copy UA’s scale, but they can copy UA’s logic.
5. Who Should Follow UA’s Lessons?
✔ Suitable for:
- Growing activewear brands
- Performancewear companies
- Athleisure startups preparing to scale
- Businesses planning multi-country sourcing
✘ Not necessary for:
- Micro brands doing <200 pcs per style
- Fashion brands focused only on seasonal drops
FAQs
Q1: What is Under Armour’s biggest supply chain strength?
Diversification + long-term relationships.
Q2: Why is UA more stable than smaller brands?
It controls both fabric suppliers and regional factories.
Q3: Can small brands build a resilient supply chain?
Yes — with flexible MOQs and strong OEM partnerships.
Q4: Does UA manufacture mainly in the U.S.?
No — its main regions are Vietnam, Jordan, China, and Indonesia.
Partnering With FuKi Gymwear
If you want to build a stable, resilient supply chain like UA,
👉 FuKi Gymwear can help you strengthen sourcing, fabrics, and production planning.
Why brands choose us:
- 🌍 Multi-country production flexibility
- 🧵 Stable fabric programs and tech sourcing
- 🚀 Fast communication + low MOQ options
- ✔ BSCI & WRAP–certified manufacturing
- 📦 Support for scaling production safely
💬 A strong supply chain is the foundation of a strong brand—and FuKi Gymwear helps you build exactly that.
