Brewer-based W.S. Emerson has built its reputation as a producer of branded and customizable products for organizations across the U.S.
Operating out of a 40,000 square foot facility at 15 Acme Road that includes 4,000 square feet of retail space, the company employs 62 people and offers creative and production services for promotional products.
W.S. Emerson uses screen printing, direct digital printing, embroidery, laser appliqué and other techniques to customize apparel and branded merchandise. It works with a wide range of materials and textures, creating products that align with each client’s brand and functional needs.
The B2B company’s offerings extend well beyond basic logo wear, with W.S. Emerson creating fully customized branded collections for organizations. Even packaging is branded, creating a cohesive presentation for employee milestones, client gifts and organizational events.
“What we established for clients is that we have a collection,” says Betsy Vickery, vice president and co-owner. “A collection could be wearables. It could be an onboarding package with drinkware, journals, tote bags or backpacks. We are not just wearables. We build an entire collection for someone’s brand that is relevant to their needs.”
One of the company’s standout product lines is its industrial uniform program. Designed for electricians, utility workers and municipal employees, the high-visibility apparel combines safety features with brand recognition. W.S. Emerson helps organizations meet compliance requirements while maintaining a professional and cohesive appearance in the field.
Whether clients arrive with established brand standards or need help developing logos and visual identities, W.S. Emerson collaborates closely with them throughout the design and production process.
W.S. Emerson in Brewer. — PHOTO / TIM GREENWAY
Founded in 1921 as a wholesale supplier serving general stores, W.S. Emerson once distributed clothing and essentials to more than 1,200 retail accounts. As the retail landscape changed, the company chose reinvention over stagnation.
“When the big box stores started coming into New England and into Maine, it took away our account base,” Vickery says. “Those businesses closed, and we had to reinvent ourselves. That meant investing in printing and embroidery machinery so we could produce decorated products under our own roof. It shifted our client base, but it allowed us to innovate and offer relevant product lines and branded assortments.”
Now in its third generation as a family business, with a fourth generation beginning to join the ranks, W.S. Emerson has weathered what often felt like insurmountable challenges.
“My husband and I have so much passion for this company,” Vickery says. “It is a huge responsibility, but also a huge source of pride. We want to keep it going for future generations.”
Now in its third generation as a family business, with a fourth generation beginning to join the ranks, W.S. Emerson has weathered what often felt like insurmountable challenges.
“My husband and I have so much passion for this company,” Vickery says. “It is a huge responsibility, but also a huge source of pride. We want to keep it going for future generations.”