H.T. Authentic Sportswear, a new local company founded by Thomasville HiToms president Greg Suire, unveiled its line of custom moisture management apparel Wednesday afternoon at the HiToms clubhouse on Ballpark Road. Offering a greater selection at a cheaper price, hopes are the H.T. Authentic Sportswear will not only support other area businesses, but could lead to job creation as well.

“If this product improves, we can put people back to work in the community,” Suire said. “That’s extremely important. Everybody plays sports in this area. If we can get people in this area who play sports to look at our product we can put people to work. It will take some time, but down the road the build up will help everybody in the area.”

With the help of former HiToms stars turned models David Thomas and C.J. Beatty, those in attendance got a first-hand look at both the apparel fabrics and the line. What separates H.T. Authentic Sportswear from other brand names is the selection, Suire said. H.T. Authentic offers 15 color choices, five apparel fabrics and five different lines, available to both men and women.

“I can’t wait to get a shirt with green sleeves,” said Thomas, a former Ledford standout who is currently in the Oakland As organization. “I really like it. The gear is comfortable and fits great.”

Suire partnered with Carolina Safety Sport in Thomasville and Talent Sport Inc. in High Point to handle the product manufacturing. The two partners will manufacture custom orders of the product locally.

“Custom orders are what we do best,” said Justin Ward, a plant manager at Carolina Safety Sport. “We’re looking forward to it. We have plenty of experience in something like this. Our motto is if we make it today, we try to ship it today.”

Apparel fabrics will come in five different types, from a light weight jersey to a 9 oz. mid-weight compression shirt. The lines include elitewear, max-elite wear, max wear, shortwear and gamewear. Customers can mix and match from any of the available colors. Suire estimates 2010 gross sales could reach $100,00. The more apparel customers buy, the better the chances are more jobs will be created.

“I really admire Greg’s focus on doing this locally,” Doug Croft, Thomasville Area Chamber of Commerce president, said. “I am hopeful and confident that he will be successful. It’s a perfect fit. Our people already have this skill set. Greg’s enthusiasm make this exciting.”

For more information on H.T. Authentic Sportswear, call 472-7198.

Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-3578, or duke@tvilletimes.com.