Heritage

Spectre was first founded as a small garment manufacturer in 1947 by the Mayor of Ikast city, Thomas Poulsen. In the beginning, his business took place in the basement of his private home. In 1974 the current headquarters of Spectre was constructed as a small garment factory.
35 years later, Anny and Evald Klausen took over the business and developed Spectre even further. At that time focus was on production of fashion, leisure and kids clothing, but the common denominator then and now has always been the focus on high quality products and throughout time Spectre has had several high-profile European fashion brands in its customer portfolio. Throughout its history, Spectre always invested massively in product innovation and new technology.

1989

In 1989 Spectre took a strategic decision to slowly move focus from fashion to producing functional and technical garments and our first polyester fleece jackets, based on a Polartec fleece fabric, saw the light of day.

1992

In 1992 Spectre outsourced production from Denmark to Latvia. The production was started just months after Latvia’s newly declared independence, through an investment in a former state-owned garment manufacturing company. The Auce factory was included in the original company structure, and it was developed thru the end of the nineties. Although troublesome at times maneuvering in the young and fragile political system, the decision on establishing production in Latvia has never been regretted: the quality of the workmanship has been maintained at the core and over time we have built great competences and created a strong organization with many professionals with vast experience.

2001

In 2001, the Kalnciems factory, now headquarter of our Latvian operations, was established on the ruins of an old brick factory.

2003

2003 was the year of the official generational change to Jacob Klausen and Jesper Klausen. Since then, technological development and curiosity to improve and do better, have been drivers to make Spectre even stronger and a preferred manufacturer of functional garments for the international outdoor sports industry.

2004

In 2004 the first Special Technology department was established and in 2005, Spectre opened its 3rd branch in the city of Rezekne, Latvia, to increase production capacity and the same year Spectre developed ultrasonic cut and heat glued pockets on a softshell jacket. Shortly after the technology was used on Gore Windstopper fabric and this marked the beginning of a large growth of products with this technology.

2008

Another milestone was the implementation of a fully automated cutting department in Latvia in 2008 and since then, all Spectre’s factories have been adopting this technology.

2010

In 2010 Spectre became member of UN Global Compact and we are still supporting this global initiative working with very specific focus and goals.
> Read more here

2010/11

In 2010-11 major investments were done in the Kalnciems factory in Latvia to expand the capacity, install new technologies and make the factory more energy efficient.

2012

In 2012 we introduced lean production systems in our Vietnamese factory, followed by Latvia in 2013. Key words being U-shaped production lines, multi-skill operators, team-based wage schemes and 5S principles. Another important step in our sustainability journey was the implementation of the SA8000 social management system in 2013-14.

2015

2015 Spectre introduced a “voluntary” annual CSR report driven by a wish to be open and transparent towards stakeholders and to start a learning process for the organization to become more aware of key working environment and external environment data. Moreover, an official company report contributes to describing the real-life dilemmas and tradeoffs when dealing with the many aspects of CSR

2016

After a rapid growth in Vietnam, a new fully owned company was established at the end of 2015 followed by the construction of an entirely new manufacturing facility in 2016. With insulated walls, thermo-glass and a fully air-conditioned production and office area as well as the latest production technologies, the factory is a modern and efficient workplace.

2017

In 2017, the brand new factory Spectre Garment Technologies Vietnam opened the doors and in the same year, Spectre A/S was awarded with a “Gazelle“ statuette by Danish business newspaper “Børsen” – the proof of a long term continuous and profitable growth. A growth that has continued since then.

2019

Waterproof garment production was initiated.

2021

The establishment of a second production site in Thai Binh, Vietnam was established. Since 2015, the production has taken place in a 100% Spectre-owned facility with local management.

2022

The Summer of 2022 Spectre has four production sites in Latvia and is just about opening its third production site in Vietnam which will mark a new level of sustainability consciousness being LEED Gold certified. In November 2022 Spectre celebrated its 75th anniversary.

2023

2023 was a year where three major milestones aligned – each a reflection of our long-term commitment to quality, people, and the planet. We became a licensed GORE-TEX® manufacturer, joining an exclusive network trusted to handle some of the most technically demanding outdoor garments in the world. At the same time, we took a significant step in our sustainability journey by becoming both B Corp™ certified and Fair Trade Certified™. These certifications are not just badges – they represent deep, independent validation of how we treat our people, our impact on the environment, and how we contribute to fair, inclusive global supply chains.

2025

Spectre broke ground on SGT3 – our fourth manufacturing and R&D facility in Vietnam. Additionally we expanded our production in Thai Binh, strengthening our local footprint and capacity to support long-term brand partners with flexibility and scale.
1989
In 1989 Spectre took a strategic decision to slowly move focus from fashion to producing functional and technical garments and our first polyester fleece jackets, based on a Polartec fleece fabric, saw the light of day.
1992
In 1992 Spectre outsourced production from Denmark to Latvia. The production was started just months after Latvia’s newly declared independence, through an investment in a former state-owned garment manufacturing company. The Auce factory was included in the original company structure, and it was developed thru the end of the nineties. Although troublesome at times maneuvering in the young and fragile political system, the decision on establishing production in Latvia has never been regretted: the quality of the workmanship has been maintained at the core and over time we have built great competences and created a strong organization with many professionals with vast experience.
2001
In 2001, the Kalnciems factory, now headquarter of our Latvian operations, was established on the ruins of an old brick factory.
2003
2003 was the year of the official generational change to Jacob Klausen and Jesper Klausen. Since then, technological development and curiosity to improve and do better, have been drivers to make Spectre even stronger and a preferred manufacturer of functional garments for the international outdoor sports industry.
2004
In 2004 the first Special Technology department was established and in 2005, Spectre opened its 3rd branch in the city of Rezekne, Latvia, to increase production capacity and the same year Spectre developed ultrasonic cut and heat glued pockets on a softshell jacket. Shortly after the technology was used on Gore Windstopper fabric and this marked the beginning of a large growth of products with this technology.
2008
Another milestone was the implementation of a fully automated cutting department in Latvia in 2008 and since then, all Spectre’s factories have been adopting this technology.
2007
In 2007 the Spectre ownership started their travel in Vietnam in an effort searching for a potential Asian manufacturing base to complete the company’s vision of a two-string production strategy. On multiple trips around Vietnam, the skills and the potential of the Vietnamese garment industry was discovered. The establishment of a joint venture factory was a reality early 2010. Since 2015, the production has taken place in a 100% Spectre-owned facility with local management.
2010
In 2010 Spectre became member of UN Global Compact and we are still supporting this global initiative, explained by our Communication-On-Progress report (COP) that can be downloaded from the UN GC web page.
2010-2011
In 2010-11 major investments were done in the Kalnciems factory in Latvia to expand the capacity, install new technologies and make the factory more energy efficient.
2012
In 2012 we introduced lean production systems in our Vietnamese factory, followed by Latvia in 2013. Key words being U-shaped production lines, multi-skill operators, team-based wage schemes and 5S principles. Another important step in our sustainability journey was the implementation of the SA8000 social management system in 2013-14.
2015
2015 Spectre introduced a “voluntary” annual CSR report driven by a wish to be open and transparent towards stakeholders and to start a learning process for the organization to become more aware of key working environment and external environment data. Moreover, an official company report contributes to describing the real-life dilemmas and tradeoffs when dealing with the many aspects of CSR
2016
After a rapid growth in Vietnam, a new fully owned company was established at the end of 2015 followed by the construction of an entirely new manufacturing facility in 2016. With insulated walls, thermo-glass and a fully air-conditioned production and office area as well as the latest production technologies, the factory is a modern and efficient workplace.
2017
In 2017, the brand new factory Spectre Garment Technologies Vietnam opened the doors and in the same year, Spectre A/S was awarded with a “Gazelle“ statuette by Danish business newspaper “Børsen” – the proof of a long term continuous and profitable growth. A growth that has continued since then.
2020/21
2020/21 – in the wake of the Corona pandemic, we have managed to grow into an even healthier company, with a lot of new competences. The key to success has been an intensification of our cooperation with existing business partners, customers as well as suppliers.
2022
The Summer of 2022 Spectre has four production sites in Latvia and is just about opening its third production site in Vietnam which will mark a new level of sustainability consciousness being LEED Gold certified.

With this growth, our responsibility is growing as well. We remain transparent and strive for an ever-closer cooperation with the premise that the best results are achieved jointly between the parties in the value chain.
2022
Expected opening of new factory in South Vietnam
2021
New branch factory in Vietnam, Thai Binh
2020
Charity to help citizens in Ha Tinh Provence after flooding
2018
Implemention of Higgs Index tools
2017
Spectre was awarded with being a 'Gazelle'

Establing brand new factory Spectre Garment Technologies

New factory was certified ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and SA8000
2016
ISO14001 certification in Latvia.

Started annual CSR reporting
We are spectre

Specialized manufacturer of functional garments. 

We develop and produce functional garments together with international outdoor- and sports brands.

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