eTC - etextilecommunications.com

12/11/2025

Big news in the U.S. textile industry: American Texturing, Inc. opening 🇺🇸

We’re proud to celebrate the launch of American Texturing Inc., a new specialty yarn texturing operation bringing jobs, innovation and renewed energy to the Southeast textile corridor.

Located in Clover, S.C., American Texturing is built on decades of operational expertise and a commitment to responsive, high-quality, made-in-America production. The company is planning to run multiple textured polyester programs with plans to expand quickly as customer demand continues to grow.

This opening marks an important step forward for domestic manufacturing and for the many partners across the supply chain working to strengthen U.S. textile resilience.

12/11/2025

American Texturing, Inc. rises: A new force in specialty yarns takes root in South Carolina

For decades, North American textile production seemed destined to fade away – factories shuttered, talent scattered and large orders lost to offshore competition. Yet, in the wake of market consolidation and personal loss, a striking gap has appeared for flexible, specialty producers who can say yes when others say no.

Enter American Texturing, Inc. (ATI).

ATI is the latest venture from Mercier Enterprises, whose roots run deep through North American textiles. Mercier Enterprises – the parent company of 3A Throwing in Cookshire, Quebec, Canada and Ames Textiles in Christiansburg, Va. – announced the launch of the company during a visit by eTC to the operations in Clover, S.C., this week. The facility previously operated as Cap Yarns.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yck3barb

CLOVER, S.C. – For decades, North American textile production seemed destined to fade away – factories shuttered, talent scattered and large orders lost to offshore competition. Yet, in the wake

11/26/2025

To our U.S. readers:

This Thanksgiving, we’re especially grateful for you – the readers, partners and advocates who fuel eTC – eTextileCommunications.com every day. Your engagement, insight and support help amplify the stories, innovations and people who make this industry extraordinary.

Thank you for showing up, sharing news, championing U.S. textiles and believing in the work we do to connect this close-knit community. We’re proud to tell your stories and honored to be part of the fabric that binds our industry together.

Wishing you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving.

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Heroes 🇺🇸

This Veteran’s Day, eTextileCommunications.com (eTC) proudly salutes the brave men and women who have served our nation.

The U.S. textile industry plays a critical role in supporting our Armed Forces — from uniforms and protective gear to advanced fabrics that keep our soldiers safer, more comfortable, and mission-ready. Behind every stitch and fiber is an American manufacturer dedicated to those who serve.

To all our veterans and their families, we thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your example.

11/11/2025

Join us for the Southern Textile Association’s Southern Division Fall Meeting!

🗓 Wednesday, November 19, 2025
📍 SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Downtown , S.C. (200 E. Washington St.)

The program runs 1-5 p.m., preceded by lunch (11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.) and followed by a networking reception (5–6:30 p.m.).

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, gain insights from industry leaders and celebrate the spirit of U.S. textiles!

Theme: “Driving Innovation, Leadership and Growth Across the U.S. Textile Landscape”

PROGRAM:
Presiding: Dan Thompson, Northern Division Chairman, Coker & Associates of SC
Opening Remarks: Nathan Fisher, STA President, Daikin America
____________________________________________

“Stage-Gate for R&D: Striking the Balance Between Structure and Creativity”
Drew Child, Ph.D., PMP
Vice President, Research & Development
Milliken & Company
____________________________________________

“Under Armour Materials Science: Innovating and Investing in the USA”
Allison Hicks
Lead Knit Engineer
Under Armour
____________________________________________

“Successes, Challenges & Opportunities for South Carolina”
Sen. Ross Turner
SC State Senator
District 8 – Greenville County
____________________________________________

“From Free Trade to Trump Trade: Managing a New World Order”
Dr. Brent F. Nelsen
Jane Fishburne Hipp Professor of Politics and International Affairs
and
Director of the Tocqueville Center for the Study of Democracy and Society
Furman University
____________________________________________

“Textile Talk: Executive Insights on Driving the U.S. Textile Industry Forward”
Moderator: Evans Tindal, STA Chairman & Plant Manager, Glen Raven, Inc.

Panelists:
Cameron Hamrick, President, Hamrick Mills
Jay Self, President, Greenwood Mills
Paul Tantillo, President & CEO/Principal, KM Fabrics

Register: https://tinyurl.com/mrysue7c

10/30/2025

The Southern Textile Association's 2025 Southern Division Fall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in beautiful downtown , SC, and we would like to invite you to consider sponsoring this event. We have a great program lined up and expect strong attendance.

STA's ability to attract top-notch speakers and host exceptional networking and educational events depends on our sponsors, who help offset hotel and travel costs. As a non-profit, STA appreciates your partnership and commitment to the industry!

As a sponsor of the STA 2025 Southern Division Fall Meeting, your company will be recognized at the event. Everyone from your company in attendance will have a sponsor ribbon on their name badge. There will also be email blasts showing the sponsors, and special signage during the event. This is a great way to get your company name in front of a lot of people at very little cost to your company.

Schedule

• Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Meeting: 1-5 p.m.
• Networking Reception: 5-6:30 p.m.

Sponsorship levels

It is easy to sponsor, just click on the link below and select the level of sponsorship you would like. There are several levels to from which to choose:

• Diamond Sponsor $500
• Platinum Sponsor $400
• Gold $300
• Silver $200
• Bronze $100
• Tabletop $250

Register to sponsor here: https://tinyurl.com/3t3bhzhj

Register to attend here: Register: https://tinyurl.com/mrysue7c

10/30/2025

Join us for the Southern Textile Association Southern Division Fall Meeting!

🗓 Wednesday, November 19, 2025
📍 SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Downtown , S.C. (200 E. Washington St.)

The program runs 1-5 p.m., preceded by lunch (11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.) and followed by a networking reception (5–6:30 p.m.).

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, gain insights from industry leaders and celebrate the spirit of U.S. textiles!

Theme: “Driving Innovation, Leadership and Growth Across the U.S. Textile Landscape”

PROGRAM:

Presiding: Dan Thompson, Northern Division Chairman, Coker & Associates of SC
Opening Remarks: Nathan Fisher, STA President, Daikin America
____________________________________________

“Stage-Gate for R&D: Striking the Balance Between Structure and Creativity”
Drew Child, Ph.D., PMP
Vice President, Research & Development
Milliken & Company
____________________________________________

“Under Armour Materials Science: Innovating and Investing in the USA”
Allison Hicks
Lead Knit Engineer
Under Armour
____________________________________________

“Successes, Challenges & Opportunities for South Carolina”
Sen. Ross Turner
SC State Senator
District 8 – Greenville County
____________________________________________

“From Free Trade to Trump Trade: Managing a New World Order”
Dr. Brent F. Nelsen
Jane Fishburne Hipp Professor of Politics and International Affairs
and
Director of the Tocqueville Center for the Study of Democracy and Society
Furman University
____________________________________________

“Textile Talk: Executive Insights on Driving the U.S. Textile Industry Forward”
Moderator: Evans Tindal, STA Chairman & Plant Manager, Glen Raven, Inc.

Panelists:
John Peoples, President, Leigh Fibers
Jay Self, President, Greenwood Mills, Inc.
Paul Tantillo, President & CEO/Principal, KM Fabrics

Register: https://tinyurl.com/mrysue7c

10/23/2025

In a compelling presentation, “Headwinds of Change,” at the Southern Textile Association (STA) Northern Division Fall Meeting Wednesday at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC II) in , N.C., Shane Cooper, founder and “chief sockologist” at DeFeet International, , N.C., used a powerful cycling metaphor to describe his company's journey through challenging business landscapes.

"The crosswind is what you have to look out for," Cooper explained, drawing parallels between cycling strategy and business survival. Just as cyclists must carefully navigate changing wind directions in a race, Cooper has steered his 34-year-old sock manufacturing company through unexpected challenges.

"We got hit with this side wind," Cooper said, referencing the disruptive emergence of aerodynamic sock designs that threatened his traditional manufacturing approach. The company ultimately adapted, developing a cutting-edge sock that saved cyclists up to 24 watts of energy, he said.

DeFeet International's innovative sock technology has powered some of cycling's most prestigious victories, from the Tour de France to the Olympics, transforming the humble sock into a high-performance racing tool. Such achievements transformed DeFeet from a small cycling sock manufacturer to a global performance brand, proving that innovation can come from the most unexpected places – even a sock.

"We won a race by breaking away," Cooper proudly said, highlighting the sock's impact at the Tour de France. The company's breakthrough came with the EVO Disrupter sock, which saved cyclists seven watts of energy in wind tunnel testing, he said.

Key challenges in recent years include labor shortages, COVID-19 impacts and tariff wars that decimated their Canadian market.

The most significant "headwind" came in 2025, leading to a pivotal decision. "I'm closing my company's manufacturing facility after Thanksgiving," Cooper announced, revealing plans to partner with Michael Banks' sock factory for production.

Despite closing manufacturing, DeFeet will continue as a brand, focusing on sales, marketing and innovation, Cooper said. "We are a brand more than we are a manufacturer now," Cooper said.

10/23/2025

The textile industry is facing a critical workforce challenge, and a solution that could transform how workers are trained is burgeoning.

During Wednesday’s Southern Textile Association (STA) Northern Division Fall Meeting at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC II) in , N.C., Chris Farr, founder & CEO of Analog Digital Systems, and Tanya Wade, PPE/Textile Resource Lab manager at the Manufacturing Solutions Center at CVCC, unveiled Thread-X, an AI-powered augmented reality training platform designed to address the industry's mounting skills gap.

"Our goal is to take somebody off the street who's never seen one of these machines, who's never been in textiles, and teach them in a very short period of time," Wade said.

In their demonstration, they showed how a complete novice could learn to operate complex textile machinery in record time. "The first trainee, an administrator with no textile experience, became self-sufficient in making a sock in less than 20 hours," Farr noted.

The platform tackles multiple workforce challenges simultaneously, they said. "We're losing not just people, but their knowledge," Wade emphasized, highlighting the critical issue of an aging workforce and knowledge transfer.

Thread-X is a comprehensive solution that includes a learning management system, augmented reality simulation, and real-time production support. "This isn't just about training," Wade stressed. "It's about solving broader operational challenges."

The most remarkable aspect is the platform's flexibility, Wade said. "We want this to be able to go out to any type of equipment or different processes," Wade said, suggesting potential widespread application across manufacturing sectors.

With subsequent trainees reducing training time to just 12 hours, Thread-X represents a potentially transformative approach to workforce development in an era of technological rapid change, Farr said.

"AI is not perfect," he said, "but it's a powerful tool when implemented thoughtfully."

During breaks, attendees were able to put on the headset and demo the VR technology.

10/23/2025

At Wednesday’s Southern Textile Association (STA) Northern Division Fall Meeting at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC II) in , N.C., Todd Morgan, chief growth officer at Infopine, delivered a provocative presentation challenging prevailing narratives about artificial intelligence in manufacturing.

"AI is not about replacing people," he said. "It's about replacing waste."

Morgan argued that most AI strategies are fundamentally flawed. Drawing parallels to the early days of Lean manufacturing, he suggested that companies are approaching AI as a "magic wand" rather than a strategic tool.

"We have a lot of data, and we don't know what to do with it," Morgan said, highlighting the industry's struggle to effectively leverage technological advances.

The key, according to Morgan, is to involve continuous improvement teams in AI implementation, not just IT departments. He believes these teams understand processes intimately and can more effectively integrate AI tools.

"We bridge the gap with our CI teams that know our processes," Morgan said.

His presentation underscored a critical message: AI should be viewed as a collaborative technology that enhances human capabilities, not a replacement for human workers.

"It's about repositioning people, making their jobs easier," he said.

10/23/2025

In a panel discussion at the Southern Textile Association(STA) Northern Division Fall Meeting at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC II) Wednesday, industry leaders Jim Booterbaugh (left) and Brian Rosenstein pulled back the curtain on manufacturing's most pressing challenges, offering a roadmap for survival in an increasingly complex economic landscape.

The manufacturing veterans tackled everything from workforce shortages to technological innovation during the session, titled, “The CEO Playbook: Leadership Lessons in Today’s Environment.” Rosenstein, CEO of TSG Finishing, shared a stark workforce reality: "If every single able-bodied human being in the United States was to suddenly get off the sofa and start working, there's not enough human beings to fill all the jobs we currently have. So I think labor is going to continue to be a problem down the road in any manufacturing environment, but specifically textiles.”

Booterbaugh, president and CEO of National Spinning Co. & Carolina Nonwovens, highlighted the importance of strategic pivoting, explaining how his company transformed: "We started down the path of nonwovens because we needed a business that was, No. 1, much more import-resistant, and, No. 2, was in growth mode."

Technology emerged as a critical theme, with Booterbaugh offering a nuanced view of AI: "I see AI as data analysis, data management, data usage, more than labor replacement."

The panel underscored a message of resilience and employee engagement. "The most important thing is for people to feel secure, important and needed," Booterbaugh said, revealing a leadership philosophy that goes beyond traditional management approaches.

10/23/2025

At today’s Southern Textile Association (STA) Northern Division Fall Meeting at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC II) in , N.C., industry innovators Daniel Yohannes, Ph.D. (left), co-founder & CEO of Renaissance Fiber, and David McAlister, Ph.D., owner and chief textile technologist at Texoligy, LLC, unveiled a bold vision for revitalizing American textile manufacturing through cutting-edge fiber technology.

"We're not just trying to replace existing fibers – we're trying to expand applications where all-natural fibers can thrive," Yohannes said during the "Adapting to Change: Driving Made-in-America Textiles Through Fiber Innovation" presentation.

Their talk highlighted Renaissance Fiber's mission to transform h**p into a viable, high-performance textile material, challenging traditional manufacturing paradigms. Yohannes said that if the company can show the right performance at the right price, sustainability will win the day.

"It's got to perform, and it's got to have a price that people will pay for," Yohannes said, underscoring the economic realities of textile innovation.

McAlister brought technical depth to the discussion, noting, "Alternative fibers need to be a complement to existing materials and bring something meaningful to the table. It can't just be a cute marketing piece – it's got to actually deliver something."

The duo's approach represents a strategic blend of sustainability, performance and economic pragmatism. Their work suggests a potential renaissance in American textile manufacturing, driven by innovative thinking and advanced material science.

"We are at the nexus of a supply chain from farm to finished product," Yohannes said, painting a vision of integrated, domestic textile production that could reshape the industry's landscape.

Added McAlister: "H**p is not cheap to process, but it's a perfect platform to carry technology and allow a path for an all-natural product with performance characteristics."

"We're trying to connect our nation's ability to grow h**p to the global textile industry," Yohannes added.

Renaissance Fiber is rapidly positioning itself as a pioneering force in domestic h**p textile production, with ambitious expansion plans centered on its new 180,000-square-foot facility in Mocksville, N.C. Currently utilizing 30,000 square feet, the company is establishing the nation's first degumming and refining line for h**p fiber, strategically located near Charlotte on Interstate 40.

The facility will focus on producing spin-ready and yarn-ready h**p fiber bales, with the company working closely with contractors and partners to transform raw h**p into high-performance textile products. Beyond immediate manufacturing goals, Renaissance Fiber is developing a technological platform that extends beyond traditional textile applications, exploring potential innovations in nanotechnology with the USDA to enhance fiber properties like fire resistance, antimicrobial capabilities and abrasion resistance.

The company's long-term vision involves not just producing h**p fiber, but creating a versatile, high-performance material that can complement and enhance existing textile manufacturing processes, with a particular focus on blending h**p with cotton and other fibers to create advanced, sustainable textile solutions.