STANDISH, Maine — A small business in Standish is one of a select few contracted with Polo Ralph Lauren to contribute to Team USA's opening ceremony uniform for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rogue Industries in Standish is a team of nine employees who handcrafted all the leather tabs that will be embossed with the Polo Ralph Lauren logo and used to secure the belt buckles for the uniform. Michael Lyons started the company in 2007 after inventing a front-pocket leather wallet to end his crippling back pain.
When Polo called to ask him if they would make Team USA's belt, Lyons said he initially thought it was a scam.
"Who's going to be reaching out to a company our size to work on a program, frankly, of this magnitude? When that first came in, we didn't believe it," Lyons said. "They came back, and they said, 'Actually, we know exactly who you are.' They've done their homework, and they had been recommended to us by Sea Bags. It had been vetted by another Maine company to make that connection. Once we found out this was the real deal, we were like, 'OK, let's see if we can do this program.'"
Lyons and his team were responsible for the leather tabs on the belt that holds the D-ring buckles to the woven waistband. His team had to cut, emboss, treat, stitch, and assemble the belts, using products sourced entirely from the United States, a requirement from Polo Ralph Lauren and Team USA. Lyons said his team looked at roughly 12 different tanneries to find the right products that met the precise specifications.
When they had all the pieces in place, he told his team they were taking on the project.
"It makes us feel like we're part of something that's bigger than ourselves, which is remarkable, but it also makes us feel really appreciative of the fact that other Maine companies can do this -- other New England companies. It's really encouraging where we're saying we're such a small operation, and if we can make this happen, then there's certainly opportunities out there that other small businesses can lean into and be able to embrace," Lyons said.
The 2024 games mark the ninth time Polo Ralph Lauren has been the outfitter of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Teams. Prior to Paris, they outfitted Team USA at Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010, London 2012, Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022. The company contracted with U.S. small businesses in New York City; El Monte, California; Maupin, Oregon; Vernon, California; as well as Lewiston and Standish, Maine.
Rancourt and Co. of Lewiston has been involved in outfitting Team USA Olympians for four Olympic games. This is the first time Rogue has ever been involved.
"I think the Ralph Lauren Corporation recognized there's something about the work ethic there, the craftsmanship, the capability," Lyons said. "Let's see if we can do more of this. It's kind of neat to look at such a small company, such a small team, and being part of such a major international program. It actually is an honor, and I don't say that lightly. It really is."
Team USA will wear the uniform in the opening ceremony events on July 26 in Paris, France.