Atlantic Mills Keeps Denim Tried and True
Today, denim that can marry tradition and innovation is what’s winning in the market, and mills who have figured this out are dedicated to the cause.
For Atlantic Mills Thailand Company(AMC), a top-tier, high fashion denim fabric maker , research and development is what keeps the company ahead of the game and able to offer what’s in high demand and deliver on denim functionality—all with as little impact on the environment as possible.
From its roots as a fabric trader, its efforts to make a science out of the art of achieving different denim looks, and its evolution into a first-rate denim mills, Atlantic Mills story is as interesting as its offering.
Carved in Blue caught up with the director of Atlantic Mills, Amrin Sachathep, to learn a little bit more about how this Thailand mill is doing denim.
CIB: What is your role at AMC?
Amrin: I am one of the owners of the company and have been working at the company for 14 years.
CIB: What’s AMC’s story? What’s the company most known for?
Amrin: Atlantic has designed the mills to be as flexible as possible in order to adapt to the changing needs of the consumer. Our spinning mill today is able to produce everything from cotton to Lenzing Modal®/TENCEL® branded fibers, and other cotton, poly , linen and hemp blends. We have both a rope-dye system (Japanese built because we believe in authenticity) and a slasher (sheet) system, because both of the machines have their advantages for specific constructions and weights. And our weaving machines are adaptable to change with just a quick press of a button. Most importantly, we pride ourselves in development without sacrifice to the construction, because we want the consumer to be able to wear the same pair of jeans longer and appreciate its look even more as he or she wears it.
CIB: Do you have a favorite pair of jeans that you appreciate more over time?
Amrin: Yes, a pure indigo selvedge product. There are so many designers out there that I wear, that I cannot pick a favorite ; they all do such a good job in creating a true denim product.
CIB: What fabrics does AMC specialize in?
Amrin: Atlantic’s main specialty is in men’s and vintage, which is why we are the largest producer of selvedge. I should also mention that we offer stretch in selvage which is now a growing category for 
women’s brands as well as some men’s labels. We own 300 shuttle looms bought from all over the globe, which gives us the ability to offer a wide variety in our selvage collections. Our focus on full-width styles for the women’s side is on softness and flexibility. We pride ourselves on using only high quality cotton (Better Cotton Initiative ) as well as organic cotton. To compliment the high grade of cotton, we also collaborate with fiber manufacturers like Lenzing for TENCEL® fibers which allows us to further achieve our important sustainable message, as we truly believe in a fair and green future.
CIB: With a “fair and green future” in mind, why the decision to use TENCEL® fibers?
Amrin: TENCEL® fibers are very environmentally friendly. It provides a softer and more breathable aspect to clothing. TENCEL® fibers also over-performs all other fibers when blended with cotton, (especially in lighter-weight fabrics) because of its strength.
CIB: What sustainability initiatives does AMC have in place?
Amrin: Atlantic works with 100 percent BCI cotton and sustainable-forward fiber products from Lenzing. We are also manufacture hemp and BCI Cotton products in both indigos and prepared for garment dyed fabrics We recycle 95% of our water via our recycling plant, and we offer post-consumer recycled denims.
CIB: Old world craftsmanship versus new age technology—which do you prefer?
Amrin: In a world where everyone is rushing to be the first, old world craftsmanship prevails. These types of businesses are driven by the owners themselves and they create authentic products, hand tooled, at their own pace.
CIB: How does manufacturing in Thailand influence your business?
Amrin: Our family grew up in Thailand so this has always been home. What Thailand has that no other country in the region has, is an influence of indigo dating back four to five generations. We have small villages in the north of Thailand that still hand-dye indigo garments. Our designers and wash technicians get inspiration from this exposure. Inspiration is all around us. Lots of European, Australian and U.S. designers travel to Thailand to get that second-hand pair of jeans from the local markets , that were worn over years of work by Thai farmers, and they work carefully to duplicate the wash. There is so much indigo influence here in Bangkok and throughout the whole country. Also, the vintage culture of wearing raw still exists in Thailand , even though we wonder how men are able to wear 17 oz denims on extremely hot days. For those who don’t wear that heavy weight, we have designed lighter weight selvages that still give that authentic vintage character which gets better over time, but are more comfortable to wear every day.
CIB: What are some other places you turn to for denim inspiration?
Amrin: Seoul and Tokyo. All of the other cities have been “globalized” by major brands and lack creativity. Bangkok would round off as a third city.
CIB: Are there any cultural figures, artists or leaders who have influenced you?
Amrin: My mentors are the family and friends who surround me. I am who I am because they have guided me and reminded me of where we have come from through our history.
CIB: What’s next for AMC? Which trade shows can we expect to find you at?
Amrin: Kingpins Amsterdam, Kingpins NYC, Denim PV and Munich Fabric Start.
We are at all the key shows.
This season we have developed more options for women in a bi-stretch collection and a warp-only stretch to give an even more comfortable product to the consumer. Our warp-only stretch denims, also imitate the original Levi’s 501 look.
The bi-stretch products are offered in a full range of indigos: deep dark blue casts, black, grey and even a PFD, all of which give a nice opening price opportunity for
brands, but not sacrificing softness and a luxury look.
CIB: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Amrin: Indigo, blue blood, purity, livelihood—I could go on and on.
