Home > About Sportswear of Tomorrow
🧵 Our Origin Story and Lessons for the Future of Manufacturing
Founded: 2002
Founder: Kevin Van Lancker
Headquarters: Romania (operations in Latvia, Romania, and Poland)
Status: From traditional sportswear production to a technology-driven manufacturing platform
🛠️ Backstory: From Athlete to Manufacturer
“Hi, I’m Kevin Van Lancker—born in Belgium, now living in Romania. I’ve been active in the sportswear industry for over 20 years, and I want to share my journey honestly, because many of the lessons I’ve learned the hard way may help you avoid costly mistakes.”
👟 Origins in Sport
- Former elite inline speed skater with the Belgian national team, competing in European and World Championships.
- Background in IT, blending technical thinking with athlete-level performance standards.
📆 Timeline & Evolution
2002 – First Steps into the Industry
- Became a distributor for BONT Skates International at age 20.
- Wanted to complement skate sales with custom sportswear.
- Initial manufacturing attempt in Colombia failed due to:
- Production errors
- Shipment delays
- Communication barriers (language, time zones)
- Customs complications
🧠 Lesson: Cost is irrelevant if reliability and communication aren’t there. A bad manufacturing partner can kill even the best ideas.
2009 – Move to Belgian Manufacturing
- Shifted production closer to home.
- Initial success gave way to recurring quality and timeline issues.
- Brand suffered despite solid market presence, partnerships, and stores.
- Eventually had to shut the business down in 2010.
🧠 Lesson: Even with strong branding and demand, your entire business can fail if the factory can’t consistently deliver. Choose manufacturing partners, not just suppliers.
2010–2012 – Corporate Reset at IBM
- Joined IBM to regain financial and professional stability.
- Learned systems thinking, business reporting, and process organization.
- Realized he missed the informal, energetic sportswear world.
🧠 Lesson: Structured thinking from the corporate world can be a superpower when building agile operations in manufacturing.
2012 – New Beginnings in Latvia
- Moved to Latvia, betting on the region’s Soviet-era textile expertise.
- Built a team of 10 spanning pattern-making, design, production, and sales.
🧠 Lesson: Hire local expertise, but manage international operations with adaptability and clarity.
2017 – Breakthrough with Dutch Cycling Brand
- Helped the team grow professionally and improve cost-efficiency.
- Pushed further into scalable production systems.
2019–2020 – Romania Expansion + COVID Shock
- Opened a new factory in Aiud, Romania in late 2019.
- COVID-19 hit soon after. Pivoted quickly:
- Produced printed masks, leisurewear, leggings.
- Later saw a cycling boom as outdoor sports returned.
🧠 Lesson: Resilience and adaptability to market shocks is only possible with internal control over production and a fast decision-making loop.
2020–Today – Building Tech + Infrastructure
- From traditional manufacturer to tech-integrated operation:
- Custom sportswear development
- Embedded smart features
- Future-ready platform integrations
- Developed over 200 customizable products
- Servicing clients across Europe, the US, and beyond
🧠 Lesson: Manufacturing is no longer just about sewing. It’s about building smart processes, digital integrations, and speed-to-market solutions.
🚀 Why We’re Different
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Built from pain, not theory | We’ve failed, lost businesses, and learned by doing. This gives us unmatched empathy for what brands go through. |
| Control over production | Unlike many agents or marketplaces, we run real production floors—ensuring lead times, quality, and accountability. |
| In-house development | From patterns to prints to final product, our team understands the entire lifecycle. |
| Digital-first transition | We’re not just producing apparel. We’re building systems and platforms to integrate design, automation, and fulfillment. |
| Sustainability & ethics | European-based, fair labor, low minimums, and sustainable fabrics. |
| Founder-led approach | Clients speak directly with decision-makers who know the factory floor, not just sales reps. |
📩 A Note from Kevin
“If you’re unhappy with your current supplier, or just starting your brand, don’t repeat the mistakes I made.
Set up a call with us. Let’s explore how we can become not just your manufacturer, but your long-term growth partner.
And if you’re already working with us—thank you. It’s truly an honor to collaborate with so many ambitious brands from all over the world.”
Kevin Van Lancker
Founder, Sportswear of Tomorrow