Since the 16th, the family and descendants of Ajmo Barbero have produced wool in Biella, Italy, about an hour and a half west of Milan.   In the first half of the 20th century, Vitale Barberis Canonico,  a direct descendent of the Ajmo, took control of his branch of the family business, turning it into one of the most prestigious mills in the world, representative of the high-end Italian brand names worldwide.

Through his close relationships with both Barberis and America’s Best Cleaners (ABC, Doug Shriver, top garment specialist at Brooks Brothers, was able to arrange a tour of the Barberis factory for affiliates of ABC.

Affiliates were treated to a comprehensive tour where they viewed the manufacture of some of the finest wool fabrics used in the construction of suits from the top clothing brands. The tour included glimpses of robotics and high tech manufacturing processes, beginning from the bales of wool through the dyeing process and ending with super fine warp and weft, spooled, ready for the looms and weaving machines.

Understanding the construction of the fabrics that go into the manufacture of men’s and ladies finer garments, allows affiliates of America’s Best Cleaners to recognize and best treat high-end garments with the care and respect they deserve.