World Emblem COO Jim Kozel and CEO Randy Carr | Credit: World Emblem

Pictured Above, L-R: Pablo Granados (GM Tamboril Free Zone), Daniel Liranzo (director of the National Free Zone Council), Victor “Ito” Bisonó (Minister of Industry and Commerce), Randy Carr (CEO World Emblem) and Mícalo Bermúdez (President of Tamboril Free Zone) 

World Emblem held a groundbreaking event on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, for its new 100,000-square-foot factory opening in Santiago de Los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic. World Emblem CEO Randy Carr was present at the ceremony along with Victor “Ito” Bisonó, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Dominican Republic; and Daniel Liranzo, Director of the National Free Zone Council.

World Emblem is building a 100,000-square-foot facility in the Tamboril Free Trade Zone in Santiago to strengthen its supply chain, enhance efficiency, and continue to grow the company, according to a press announcement. Approximately 100 employees will be hired initially to work at the factory, with up to 500 jobs created in total.

Earlier this year, the company announced that it plans to also reshore jobs to its new factory opening in Houston in October. It signed a long-term lease for a new 72,000-sq-ft. manufacturing facility — located at 6740 Signat Drive in Houston. The company is moving its regional operations from approximately 35,000 sq. ft. in northwest Houston into the larger space, which will initially produce up to 500,000 emblems and patches per week.

“We selected the Dominican Republic after asking ChatGPT to suggest a hospitable country to open a new factory and do business, based on our industry,” Randy Carr, CEO of World Emblem, tells Apparelist. “After visiting the island and experiencing first-hand its business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, and proximity to our clients in the United States, we knew we made the right choice. As we look to further expand the range of products and services we provide to new and existing customers, our factory in the Dominican Republic will enable us to strengthen our supply chain, enhance efficiency, and continue to grow the company.”