Mitch Cahn is a visionary manufacturing entrepreneur dedicated to redefining American textile production through unionized labor and lean manufacturing. His unique blend of financial acumen and hands-on operational expertise has driven Unionwear's transformation into a resilient, community-centered business that delivers high-quality products while pioneering reshoring initiatives. Mitch's unwavering commitment to his workforce and adaptive leadership invigorates local industry and sets new standards for sustainable manufacturing.
With a strong foundation from Wharton Business School and experience in high-stakes mergers and acquisitions, Mitch Cahn pivoted from finance to manufacturing with entrepreneurial vision. Over three decades, he has uniquely combined union principles, lean manufacturing techniques, and strategic reshoring to build a profitable, socially responsible manufacturing operation native to Newark, NJ. Mitch's leadership not only elevates product quality but also consistently delivers value to B2B clients, public sector partners, and the local workforce. He thrives at the intersection of business innovation and community empowerment.
"I excel in mission-driven environments that require blending operational efficiency with genuine stakeholder engagement to create long-term sustainable success."
Early adopter and pioneer of lean principles, streamlining Unionwear's production to maintain competitive pricing and high quality despite economic challenges.
Committed to fair wages, health benefits, and union representation, ensuring employee engagement and shared business rewards, enhancing workplace stability.
Championing ‘Made in USA’ production, helping clients co-brand quality domestic goods, and sustaining local manufacturing jobs in Newark, NJ.
Unionwear • 1992-Present
Guided Unionwear through 30+ years of evolution by embedding lean manufacturing and union principles, scaling production from traditional hats to critical PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Established the company as a resilient leader in reshoring, supporting hundreds of local jobs while maintaining top product quality and competitive pricing.
Newark Regional Business Partnership & Newark Workforce Development Board • 2015-Present
Contributed strategic leadership influencing regional manufacturing revitalization and workforce development, aligning local economic growth with sustainable job creation and skills advancement in Newark.
New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) • 2016-Present
Partnered with manufacturing extension programs to push efficiency improvements, technology adoption, and lean practices, helping small to mid-sized manufacturers in New Jersey thrive amid shifting global markets.
The Wharton School • 1985-1989
Graduated summa cum laude, laying a robust analytical and strategic foundation that empowered entrepreneurial risk-taking and financially savvy leadership in manufacturing.
Bear Stearns • 1989-1992
Developed rigorous financial, analytical, and negotiation skills within a high-pressure investment banking environment, setting the stage for transformational entrepreneurship.
To lead and sustain innovative, unionized manufacturing operations that revive American industry through lean principles and community-centered leadership, while delivering exceptional quality and service in challenging markets.
Built and upheld a thriving unionized factory in Newark, NJ, defying prevailing skepticism and setting a model for sustainable, employee-focused manufacturing.
Mobilized production to supply tens of thousands of PPE items daily for first responders, exemplifying operational agility and community service.
Led initiatives that reintegrated textile manufacturing into the US market, utilizing lean principles and technology such as Salesforce MRP for process excellence.
Exhibits high creativity and openness to innovation, as seen in pioneering lean manufacturing and adapting business models to new market realities.
Displays exceptional organization, discipline, and reliability, reflected in decades-long leadership and continuous process improvements.
Balances sociability with thoughtful leadership, engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders while maintaining a focused internal operations mindset.
Shows a strong cooperative and empathetic approach, emphasizing fair treatment of employees and community partnership.
Maintains emotional stability and resilience, enabling calm, strategic responses during crises and economic challenges.
ENTJ: As an ENTJ, Mitch embodies the visionary leader who thrives on strategic planning and decisive action. His dominant Ni-Te cognitive functions support big-picture foresight coupled with effective execution, perfectly aligning with his role in reshaping manufacturing. This type naturally excels in leadership, process optimization, and inspiring teams toward ambitious goals. Growth potential lies in cultivating patience with details and increasing sensitivity to emotional dynamics within his team to further enhance collaboration.
Direct, Decisive, High Control, Results-Focused
Interactive, Inspiring, Enthusiastic, Collaborative
Supportive, Stable, Consistent, Diplomatic
Careful, Analytical, Precise, Quality-Focused
Mitch’s DISC profile combines assertive, results-driven leadership with strong interpersonal skills, enabling effective decision-making and inspiring team cohesion in mission-critical manufacturing operations.
Mitch thrives in environments with access to advanced data tools and technologies that enable deep analytical work and rapid implementation of insights.
These enablers unlock Mitch’s peak performance by aligning his drive to innovate operationally while fostering an equitable workplace culture. This synergy fuels his capacity to lead resilience and growth, delivering value to clients and community alike.
Visualizing Mitch's current influence and future growth trajectory across key professional dimensions.
Represents Mitch’s expertise in lean manufacturing processes and operational optimization, critical for maintaining competitiveness in shifting markets.
Reflects his exceptional ability to integrate union principles with business goals, fostering a motivated and shared-succession workforce.
Highlights agility and leadership in rapidly pivoting production and operations during emergencies, exemplified by COVID-19 PPE manufacturing.
Encapsulates deep knowledge in bringing manufacturing back to the USA, aligning operational, economic, and social factors to revive local industry.
Measures strength in cultivating B2B partnerships and delivering high-quality, co-branded products attuned to client values.
Reflects his sustained commitment to workforce and economic development through leadership roles and regional advocacy.