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For nearly a decade, First Response Custom Sewing has been proudly serving the members of the community who, in turn, serve their community. As Maryland’s premiere, full-service commercial and industrial sewing manufacturing contractor our services include a variety of customer and heavy-industrial products. Our team is composed of experts who are ready and willing to assist in the designing of new products – or can work with modifying your existing items to meet your current needs. Our job is to see the process through to a quality-finished product. Because we also know that our customers’ needs are urgent, we’re committed to efficiency.

Our team has many years of service and experience in this industry. This allows us the opportunity to provide a superior product in a reasonable amount of time while still providing a personalized service to our customers. Not only are we proud that all of our products are made and manufactured in the USA, we always offer the most hands-on, personalized experience for each of our customers – assuring that their needs are addressed as personalized as the products we produce.

Although each design and manufacture process is unique, to assure total quality and complete customer satisfaction, FRC Sewing adheres to a series of steps in creating each unique product. Beginning with the creation of a Design Prototype, our team works hands-on with you to discuss how your product will be used and to determine the best materials for the product’s core usage. During this phase, we can work from your own designs, patterns, and products to develop a sample that meets your specifications in a cost-effective manner. After that prototype is created, we’re able to submit to you an approximate quote on what the full job will cost, factoring in all aspects of the manufacturing, materials, and the degree of expertise required to produce the highest quality finished product.

For every project that FRC Sewing takes on, our team of experienced sewing experts utilized a tried-and-true efficient production process to expedite the manufacturing of each order. Following a final inspection for the assurance of the highest quality control, your personalized products are ready to be shipped!

With years of experience, FRC Sewing specializes in creating the strongest materials for the most delicate of situations.

Key Staff

Joe Bleach, President/CEO & Founder

 Work experienceJoe has over 30+ years experience in the manufacturing industry, that includes custom bags, covers, insulation products, assorted straps and safety products. Joe started at the ground level of the manufacturing industry back in 1980 with experience in spreading, cutting of materials, supervising production and managing an entire manufacturing facility. Today Joe presides over First Response Custom Sewing, Inc. and strongly believes there is a need in our country to manufacture custom sewn products. First Response ensures customers they will receive the best quality product and it will be delivered on time!


Shari Flanary, Accounting/HR Manager

Responsibilities: Shari is the Accounting/HR Manager at First Response Custom Sewing. She joined FRCS in early 2018 following two years with Prolist INC, where she assisted the accounting manager in the many daily operations of direct mail.

 Work experience: With over 18 years of financial and management experience, Shari oversees the financial, accounting and administrative affairs of First Response Custom Sewing, as well as Human Resources. She works closely with the CEO and Management Team to ensure all new orders are entered and shipped to customers in a timely manner. She is also dedicated to upholding the friendly, family-oriented, professional atmosphere that is FRCS by helping all customers and employees, in person or by phone, in any way that she can assist.


CRYSTAL THOMPSON, Production Manager / Purchasing Manager

Responsibilities:Crystal oversees all production departments. She works very closely with her leads in all departments to make sure the products are going out on scheduled time, as well as checking the quality of the product to meets our customer’s needs. Works closely with the design team for new products to determine the best pricing while meeting the customer’s needs. Crystal reviews documents such as productions schedules, work orders, and staffing to determine personnel and material requirements, and priorities. She also develops and distributes production schedules and work orders to each department. Crystal is also our Purchasing manager and has been at that position for over 2 years. She is great at locating vendors for all types of material as well as sourcing new products for customers.

 Work experience:Crystal has over 10 years of experience in production and manufacturing field. She has started in the warehouse as a shipping/ receiving coordinator and has worked herself up into a lead position as a Production Manager. She provides her experience in the production field for First Response Custom Sewing to make sure that the product goes out in a timely manner as well as making sure she reaches her customers’ needs to quality. She enjoys the challenge and is up for anything!

 


Lou Distefano, Senior Design Engineer/ Mechanic/ Assistant Production Manager

Responsibilities:Design & Prototyping, plotting jobs from our Optitex CAD system, Spreading and Cutting material, Sewing Machine Maintenance. Lou works closely with customers to listen to their needs and requirements and works with the engineering team to develop a product at a competitive price that exceeds the customers’ requirements.

Helps the production manager to make sure all products go out in a timely manner as well as checking the quality. Lou also assist the production manager with costing of new projects.

Establishes a control point for design and production engineering drawings. Maintains a database of all engineering drawings and bills of material.

 Work experienceLou offers over 15 years of experience in designing, spreading and cutting of material. He takes a small idea that a customer wants and makes it come alive. Lou is well experienced on our CAD system to design a product to be cut out of our various materials and works closely with our sewers to put it all together.


For nearly a decade, FRC Sewing has been collaborating with their clients to create products of the highest-quality – all made in the USA. Proudly serving the community members who proudly serve their communities, FRC Sewing is conveniently located at 1704 West 7th Street, Frederick MD 21702. Call us today at 301-694-8656 or email us at info@frcsewing.com and let us know how we can make your personal vision a reality!