About Us

About Concept III

As a family business, Concept III believes in trust and integrity above all else. That’s why we have long-standing partnerships with the world’s premier fabric manufacturers. And that’s why we’re always there for you, at every step.

For more than 30 years, we’ve been at the forefront of the performance textile industry. Every day, we work alongside leading mills and tech innovators to source, develop, and produce new fabric-based solutions. Our customers look to us not only for our market expertise but also for our integrity and commitment to service.

That’s how we’ve succeeded after all these years. Today, with offices across North America and Europe, we have quite a global presence. And it’s a good thing we do, because we collaborate with leading textile and technology resources located all around the world.

Our History

Founded in 1983, Concept III has played a critical role in helping shape the outdoor performance market. Since our earliest days, we’ve worked alongside brands that have been influential in evolving the industry.

First, let’s go back to the late ‘70s, when entrepreneurs began taking advantage of emerging textile technologies. As a result, small companies soon dominated the outdoor market, all seeking to design and engineer apparel for a more adventurous set, namely climbers, hikers, and skiers. This is also when our founder, David Parkes, began to leave an indelible mark on an emerging market.

Working for Malden Mills, Parkes was instrumental in the launch of PolarFleece in 1981. It was around this time that the young outdoor performance market truly began to boom, and with its sudden growth, new opportunities emerged.

By then, outdoor brands were in constant need of new textiles. So, in 1983, fusing his product development background and marketing acumen, Parkes established Concept III, a company that could expertly source and supply a wide variety of textiles for the world’s leading outdoor brands.

Since we were founded, we’ve gone on to become an industry go-to. That’s because we’ve dedicated ourselves to textile styling, customer service, and product marketing. In addition, our passion for performance textiles and the outdoor industry has made us a leading resource for raw materials. 

Over the years, the industry has expanded and its needs have accelerated, but we’ve always been there. From the beginning, we’ve remained steadfast in our dedication to sourcing the next generation of textiles. After all, that’s how we’ve cemented our place in the industry. But rest assured, we’re always looking ahead.

For years to come, we’ll continue to scour the globe in search of new materials, revolutionary technologies, and innovative processes that move our textile base toward ever-higher environmental compliance. That’s because the same holds true today just as it did when we were founded—we’ll never stop doing what’s right to keep the industry moving forward. 

Our Values

We strive to be nothing less than the premier resource for the performance textile industry. And we continue to succeed, as we remain committed to providing the best service for our customers.

Trust. Family. Integrity.

At Concept III, they all go hand-in-hand. And we’ve transitioned those close ties to our employees and partners. We believe this is how we’ve fostered the trust and demonstrated the integrity to achieve strong, long-lasting relationships.

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Some Names to Know Around Here

David Parkes

Founder & CEO

Chris Parkes

Managing Partner

Rob Birn

East Coast Sales

Helen Birn

Operations

Allison Abbate

Sales Support

Kim Walsh

Sales Support

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David Parkes

Founder & CEO

David is a skilled marketer first and a textile expert second. Raised in Stafford, England, and armed with a marketing degree from the University of Kent, David began his career at Borg Textiles in the UK where he worked in sales and product development for the famous pile and faux fur maker. After his success in the European market, Borg transferred David to the US in 1973.

Massachusetts-based Malden Mills subsequently hired David away in 1976. Placed in charge of market planning, David was appointed sales director in 1981 for the launch of Polar Fleece – what is now Malden’s Polartec®.

Fully committed to creating textile-based products for a burgeoning outdoor industry, David started Concept III in 1983 as domestic textile resource. The “III” was to stand for service, styling and sales, and still does. For nearly 30 years, David and his staff have helped develop textiles from natural cotton to technical blends for a “who’s who” list of outdoor, active sports and, now, sportswear manufacturers and major retailers.

In anticipation of the coming global economy, David expanded Concept III from a domestic resource to an international one during the 90’s. With a current staff of nine, the company now has offices in both the U.S. and Europe and works with sources worldwide. Concept III is now completely vertical in operation, offering product manufacturing in Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Africa in addition to their development and sourcing services.

Dedicated to the outdoor industry, David has served on the Outdoor Industry Association Board, is past president of the PolyPro Council and has exhibited at and supported the Outdoor Retailer Show since its founding. David believes that the outdoor industry is a unique industry with unique requirements and that creative performance textiles are what drive the outdoor apparel market. He also says that he couldn’t live without “merchandisers who really know what’s going on and what they’re doing.” He is dedicated to staying in front of and focused on his customers.

David resides in Little Silver, NJ. Though described as a workaholic, David’s wife Diana, three children, and six grandchildren come first and share a love for skiing, cycling, and team sports—particularly soccer. His passion for classical music comes second. He performs nationally with his renowned choral group when his busy travel schedule allows.

Chris Parkes

Managing Partner

Born in England, Chris and his family came to the U.S. when he was four and settled in New Jersey. He graduated in history and economics at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA then joined Concept III, his family’s business based in Red Bank, NJ where he took on new knowledge and competencies in performance textiles. Chris, his wife Christine and their family now live near Denver, Colorado surrounded by the camping, hiking and other outdoor activities they love.

For over 20 years Chris has worked with a “Who’s Who” list of outdoor, active sports, sportswear and major retail brands helping them build textile-based products that sell. He prizes the personal relationships he has with his customers and has a unique ability to understand their needs from the product designer to the CEO. He will tell you that he gets great enjoyment out of solving their problems, making their life easier and earning their trust.

As a company, Concept III is acutely aware of how important the environment is. In addition to overseeing Concept III’s national and international sales strategy, Chris Parkes has spearheaded the development of environmentally positive methods and procedures as well as certification at Concept III’s partner mills on behalf of customers. He has aided a third of these resources with which he works to become bluesign® certified. Chris has also spoken on behalf of environmental issues at trade shows and at customer product meetings. He envisions a day when the manufacture of textiles has zero impact on the earth. 

Rob Birn

East Coast Sales

Rob Birn is a native of New Jersey, though he doesn’t have the accent to prove it.

A foodie at heart, he earned a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Pennsylvania State because, he confesses, it would allow him to be around good food and fine wines. Rob worked for both the Hilton and Sheraton hotel brands before joining Grapevine Designs, a promotional marketing agency.  There he was exposed to the apparel industry and managing a variety of factories overseas.

In 2014 Rob joined Concept III and now handles new account development, with a focus on the uniform market in addition to assisting with other accounts.

Rob says his partnerships with his customers become friendships and vice versa. That, he says is what makes his work so enjoyable.

After college Rob married Helen Parkes, his high school sweetheart. They have two sons and live in Red Bank, NJ. Rob not only coaches his son’s soccer team but he can be found skiing, playing tennis and surfing with them depending on the season. Though his five-times-a-week gym visits are impressive, he says it’s just so he can keep up with them.

Allison Abbate

Sales Support

Allison was captain of both the soccer and lacrosse teams at Georgian Court University where she recently graduated Cum Laude in accounting, business management and finance. Allison keeps the machinery of Concept III’s customer service and administrative support finely tuned.

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Gwen Moore

European Sales Support

Highly skilled in customer service, Gwen has been dedicated to surpassing customers’ expectations at Concept III since 1998.  An avid walker and jogger, she regularly takes part in England’s Great North Run half marathon and the Race for Life cancer benefit, and supports her local Youth Hostel in hosting walkers, runners, and cyclists.