Stahls leaves big imprint on sports leagues at Masontown factory
Rick Shrum/Observer-Reporter
Spools of thread are prominent in the sewing area of Stahls鈥� Masontown facility. (Rick Shrum/for the Greene County Messenger)
Rick Shrum
Sticky Fitbit labels go through a laser printer at Stahls鈥� Masontown operation. (Rick Shrum/for the Greene County Messenger)
Replica jerseys of Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis are processed in Stahls鈥� Masontown facility. (Rick Shrum/for the Greene County Messenger)
Rick Shrum/Observer-Reporter
Josh Ellsworth, left, and his brother Zach are local team leaders with Stahls. (Rick Shrum/for the Greene County Messenger)
newsroom@heraldstandard.com
On a little hillside just outside of Masontown sits a sports apparel manufacturer that helps fans to feel like they鈥檙e part of their favorite team, while also making dreams come true for the NFL蘑菇视频 top draft picks.
The 86 workers at the Stahls Decorating Fulfillment Center in German Township are leaving a big imprint on major sports leagues by making personalized athletic gear that is sold across the country.
Stahls is probably best known for creating personalized jerseys in a matter of minutes for the first-round picks at the NFL Draft, where a team of workers has attended the past 11 years. The small team of workers churns out the special jerseys with the rookie draft pick蘑菇视频 name on it to be displayed on stage when the player is greeted by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
鈥淚t蘑菇视频 great for the folks who work there,鈥� said Zach Ellsworth, vice president of Stahls Decorating Fulfillment Center. 鈥淭hey do take pride in the work. A select few get to go and do that, decorating behind the scenes or during the events, which they really enjoy.鈥�
The company also makes personalized jerseys for fans attending the NFL Draft, and helps with uniform production for players attending the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and Cross-Fit Games in Madison, Wis.
鈥淲e鈥檙e finding ourselves doing (more) on-site activations at the draft beyond the stage,鈥� Ellsworth said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e there just to do the personalization. The (apparel) brand itself would sell the shirt. We鈥檙e doing the decorating (and) execute for them.鈥�
But the company does so much more as the officially licensed jersey decorator for NFL, NHL and NBA, while also being licensed to manufacture jersey numbers and letters for MLB. The local factory has been especially busy in recent weeks, producing thousands of Miami Heat jerseys during that team蘑菇视频 run through the NBA playoffs.
鈥淚f there蘑菇视频 a playoff run or a player is traded, that蘑菇视频 when we see the business,鈥� Ellsworth said.
The company is based in Sterling Heights, Mich., and has locations across the country, including near Carmichaels and Uniontown that serve other functions.
Even with all the big production jobs that make a big impact for sporting events across the country, Ellsworth said many people are surprised to learn one of the company蘑菇视频 most important factories is located in Fayette County.
鈥淢ost people are surprised, even the folks who live in Masontown,鈥� Ellsworth said. 鈥淲e give them a tour and they are usually like, I never knew this was here.鈥�