Better Team USA: Advancing American Outerwear Manufacturing in New Jersey
SBA’s support helped this American manufacturer strengthen their operations and expand nationally.
Better Team USA, a technical outerwear manufacturer based in Clifton, New Jersey, represents a new generation of American manufacturing that combines decades of craftsmanship with advanced technology to compete on the global stage. Under the leadership of President Martin DiBattista, the company has become one of the few vertically integrated technical outerwear manufacturers remaining in the United States. Better Team USA has earned national recognition for producing jackets worn by Team USA athletes at the Winter Olympic Games.
Start with a mission
Martin DiBattista is a third-generation garment manufacturer whose family roots trace back to New York City’s historic garment district in the 1950s. Growing up around sewing floors, patternmaking tables, and cutting rooms, DiBattista gained a deep understanding of the skills required to produce high-quality apparel. Rather than leaving the industry when most apparel production moved overseas, he chose to stay and innovate.
“We have been on a mission for a decade to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. because it is not just about production, it is about providing real jobs and supporting families in our community.” - Martin DiBattista
He founded Better Team USA with the goal of preserving American garment manufacturing while modernizing it with new technology and production methods. Today, the company operates a specialized outerwear facility in northern New Jersey, located near the historic garment district and the supply chain network that once made the region the center of American apparel production.
Made in America
Better Team USA gained international attention when global fashion brand Ralph Lauren selected the company to manufacture outerwear for Team USA’s Olympic uniforms, including the jackets worn during the closing ceremony of the Winter Games. For a small manufacturer, producing garments for Olympic athletes was a remarkable achievement and demonstrated the skill, precision, and dedication still found in American manufacturing.
“Having manufacturing domestically changes everything. Speed to market, communication, and the ability to produce more efficiently and sustainably.” - Martin DiBattista
By showing that technical apparel can be successfully made in the United States, Better Team USA continues to inspire a new generation of American manufacturers.
How SBA helped
Like many small manufacturers, Better Team USA has faced challenges with accessing capital to finance equipment, labor, and inventory. In 2023, the company successfully refinanced its operations through a 7(a) loan and secured an SBA Express line of credit to strengthen working capital and support growth.
“Through the Small Business Development Center, I built a strong relationship with an advisor who helped guide our strategy and connect us to resources.” - Martin DiBattista
DiBattista also graduated from the SBA Emerging Leaders program in 2018, which helped him refine his planning, strengthen financial management, and chart a long-term growth strategy.
Results of SBA support
With assistance from SBA, Better Team USA stabilized cash flow, expanded production capacity, and invested in advanced technologies such as AI-assisted 3D design tools, computerized cutting systems, and cloud-based management software.
These updates have allowed the company to remain competitive while keeping production at home.
Future growth
Looking ahead, Better Team USA is expanding its production capacity, adopting advanced automation, and pursuing new contracts in both the public and private sectors. DiBattista’s long-term vision is to build the most advanced technical outerwear manufacturing platform in the United States and continue proving that American manufacturing can thrive again under the leadership of President Trump and the Trump Administration.
Through innovation, resilience, and support from programs like those offered by SBA, Better Team USA continues to prove that American manufacturing can thrive again, and that small businesses can play a leading role in bringing it back.
For more information on SBA loan programs and resources like the SBDC and Emerging Leaders program, visit www.sba.gov.