South carolina textile industry. Southern states, lasting twenty-two days.
South carolina textile industry. Gregg was a visionary industrialist who advocated for the production of textiles in southern mills earning him the title “Father of the Southern Textile Industry. . Some of the top textile companies in South Carolina include Milliken & Company, Springs Global, and Unifi Manufacturing. It built up fortunes, established new communities, changed the agricultural landscape, and brought thousands of new residents into the county. South Carolina's textile producers want to make it clear to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that they're not involved with "jobs of the past," as the Palmetto State native suggested in a press Chronicling and detailing the history of Johnsonville, South Carolina. [3][4][5][6][7][8] Milliken employs many scientists, including Explore textile manufacturing companies in North Carolina, including Parkdale Mills and Burlington Fabrics, shaping the industry with innovative solutions. " Greenville became so Aug 9, 2010 · The textile industry was the dominant industry in South Carolina for many years, but it became so successful that Greenville was even known as the "Textile Capital of the World. Jun 16, 2025 · The Carolinas (North and South Carolina) have a rich and complex history in the textile industry, and while the industry has undergone significant transformations, it continues to be a relevant part of their economy. With corporate headquarters located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the company is active across a breadth of disciplines including specialty chemical, [1] floor covering, [2] performance and protective textile materials, and healthcare. CHeck out some of the state's best textile mill transformations. History of the Textile Industry in the Carolinas The textile industry was a dominant force in the Carolinas for over a The economy of South Carolina was ranked the 24th largest in the United States based on gross domestic product in 2024. Greenville, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, A desire to capitalize on this success led to the construction of the Rock Hill Cotton Factory in 1881. This also placed them close to the cotton source. Beginning at Ware Shoals in March 1929–led mostly by lifelong mill hands who appealed to the supposed paternalism of the mill owners–a wave of strikes swept South Carolina textile mills. Apr 15, 2016 · The first textile mill in the world to be powered exclusively by electricity, the Columbia Mills Company was chartered in 1893 with an initial capitalization of $700,000. Learn about the history of South Carolina textile mills and the impact they had on workers in the early 1900s. Burnett, and other upcountry business leaders, Spartan Mills was the first textile mill built within Spartanburg city limits. May 9, 2025 · WASHINGTON — May 9, 2025 — Today, more than 30 top South Carolina textile CEOs and leaders — including cotton farmers and the production chain — sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, raising concerns over his remarks at the White House about the state of the U. Jul 28, 2022 · The South Carolina textile industry A summary of the South Carolina textile industry: The phases involved in manufacturing clothing in South Carolina will depend on the specific type of apparel being produced and the specific manufacturing procedure being used. A History of Mill Villages in Greenwood and Ninety-Six, South Carolina At the close of the 19th century, southern cities were facing tremendous pressure to industrialize and maintain pace with the rest of the country. His highly praised and widely quoted Essays on Domestic Industry, published in 1844 gave southerners something to think about. The textile capital of the world remains Union, Spartanburg, and Greenville, all connected by Sep 19, 2013 · Textile factories are bustling again in the United States, but the savior was automation, meaning few of the jobs lost since the ’90s came back with the plants. The state's other major economic sector is advanced manufacturing located primarily in the Upstate and the Lowcountry. 5 million in liabilities, and Graber Industries, Inc. Apr 13, 2025 · In South Carolina, a former textile powerhouse grapples with confusion as Trump's tariffs impact their industry, leaving a once-flourishing community uncertain about the future and challenging its economic resilience. Jul 7, 2016 · Impressed by the industrial promise of Columbia, Whaley returned there later that same year, opening an office as a cotton mill engineer. Aug 9, 2010 · The textile industry was the dominant industry in South Carolina for many years, but it became so successful that Greenville was even known as the "Textile Capital of the World. By 1892 there were fifty-one mills in South Carolina, making the state first in the nation in power looms and second in spindles. Images in this collection were taken from the M. Aug 8, 2024 · South Carolina has largely shed its textile label, remaking itself into a state known for automotive and aerospace manufacturing. After White’s death in 1911, ownership transferred to “Colonel” Leroy Springs. The performance of South Carolina’s textile and apparel industry is compared with industry trends in the North Carolina and Georgia to assess the competitiveness of South Carolina’s industry in world and domestic markets. Other major textile mills operated across the South and in the Upstate and coastal areas of South Carolina. ” -Gov. Southern states, lasting twenty-two days. Close operation by the end of August. The college has been at the forefront of research. South Carolina's once-thriving textile hub now rejects the idea of revival amid Trump tariffs, reflecting on past struggles and a shift in industry focus. In 1889 Spartan Mills merged with Whitfield Mills of Newburyport, Massachusetts, in an agreement whereby all machinery from Whitfield was shipped to Spartanburg. He also believed in what Adam Smith had written. The origins of cotton cultivation began in coastal South Carolina during the colonial period. In the late 1800s, South Carolina evolved from a largely agricultural state to an industrial center for textile production. Many of the farmers and textile companies are multi-generational family operations. But the Palmetto State still has upwards of 200 locations that the states Commerce Department categorizes as textile manufacturing facilities. Tourism also started to form into a major industry within the state during the 20th century, especially in areas such as Myrtle Beach and Charleston. We respectfully request a meeting at your earliest convenience to share firsthand Domination of the Southern Textile Industry In 1962, Greenville, South Carolina claimed the title “Textile Center of the World”, after they opened their newly built Greenville-Spartanburg International airport. 00 A YEAR Peace and Prosperity A just pride in their work has led some of the cotton manufacturers to South Carolina’s textile producers want to make it clear to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that they’re not involved with “jobs of the past,” as the Palmetto State native suggested in a May 17, 2016 · The General Textile Strike in South Carolina sprang out of old grievances and fresh hopes. As farmers strove to meet the needs of a growing population, they Greenville, South Carolina, has a rich history in the textile industry dating back to the late 1800’s. These collections are largely from the perspective of capital and industry, but they also contain extensive documentation on the lives of Southern textile workers, particularly from the mid- to late-twentieth century in North Carolina. They were the vanguard of the hundreds of African Americans to labor in the Southern textile industry. Mar 22, 2017 · The average textile job in South Carolina pays about $35,000 a year, according to a study from the South Carolina Manufacturing Alliance. , a manufacturer of blinds, shades, and other window decorating products, for $38. Devoted to the Textile Industries. Originally named Fort Mill Manufacturing Company, the company soon became a leading textile manufacturer in South Carolina. As late as 1980 Greenville had earned recognition as Textile Center of the World. It employed the majority of all manufacturing workers, and its company towns set the terms of life for thousands of white Carolinians. C. SignetMills. With the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, cotton cultivation spread rapidly across the piedmont regions of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi into Arkansas Milliken & Company is an American industrial manufacturer that has been in business since 1865. Workers called this the “stretch-out,” and fought back. NO. For years mill people worked long hours for low wages in lint-filled factories. Greenville, South Carolina, once styled itself the “Textile Capital of the World. Now were they actually the textile center of the world, this depends on who you ask and how it is measured. An expansion and upgrade of the Columbia Canal in 1891 by the Columbia Water Power Company had significantly improved the power generation potential of the waterway, making it […] Hurricane Helene devastated the Carolina textile industry, disrupting production and exposing textile supply chain vulnerabilities. Jun 8, 2016 · The textile industry was the most significant early industry to take root in the upcountry and Piedmont regions of South Carolina. May 13, 2025 · South Carolina ’s textile producers want to make it clear to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that they’re not involved with “jobs of the past,” as the Palmetto State native suggested in a press conference late last month, but rather a vital—and indeed, still thriving—part of the country’s national and economic security. Aug 31, 2013 · In 1934, thousands of workers in Southern textile mills walked off the job seeking better pay and working conditions. 12 Mecklenburg County did not immediately join the post-bellum industrial rush. South Carolina is home to a thriving textile industry with a number of companies specializing in the production of textiles. Aug 7, 2024 · The industry today employs more than 18,000 people in South Carolina, according to data from the National Council of Textile Organizations, down from more than 24,000 people less than a decade ago. Some New England manufacturers saw potential for factory operations along the backcountry rivers and set up a handful of small mills there after 1814. Apr 21, 2025 · Sludge from textiles and related industries can contain high PFAS levels because the chemicals are commonly used to make water-repellent clothes. Lowenstein collection, the Neil Campbell collection, the Dill Family For many years, North Carolina was a leading textile-making state, specializing in cotton. Overview Introduction The textile industry has traditionally held a fundamental role in North Carolina's economy, providing thousands of jobs and revenue for local economies. North Carolina emerged as the South's leading textile producer by the 1920s. Paullier says most of the people working at Chargeurs have The Judson Mill District honors Greenville, South Carolina’s rich textile manufacturing history as it weaves a new plan for the future. S. N C $2. Oct 24, 2022 · A history of the textile mills in South Carolina and how they shaped the state's history. Jan 21, 2024 · Jordyn Holman reported from textile factories and ginneries in North and South Carolina. The practice by textile mills of hiring entire families helped ensure the availability of child labor. W. None are more famous for this time period than William Gregg of South Carolina. Duncan. Global trade shifts and evolving economic policies have forced this historic industry to confront unprecedented obstacles. The guide is organized around important steps of conducting community history and highlights sources specific to Beaumont Mill as well as general resources that can support the investigation of any community. Ammonia and Formaldehyde scrubber systems were installed to allow for the manufacture of a broader range Jul 28, 2022 · The South Carolina textile industry A summary of the South Carolina textile industry: The phases involved in manufacturing clothing in South Carolina will depend on the specific type of apparel being produced and the specific manufacturing procedure being used. We understand the dedication and hard work it takes to ensure a quality product at an affordable price. Although textile work was almost exclusively the domain of white laborers, the history of African Americans textile workers represents the resiliency of the African American community as May 28, 2024 · Wilson College of Textiles, drives the textile industry’s future. The 1970s marked a turning point in the economic history of the Upstate region of South Carolina, transforming it into a powerful textiles hub that still attracts businesses today. The United States textile workers' strike of 1934, colloquially known later as The Uprising of '34[4][2][1] was the largest textile strike in the labor history of the United States, involving 400,000 textile workers from New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and the U. Tourism, centered around Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island, is the state's largest industry. " Greenville became so Apr 29, 2025 · American textile manufacturers pushed back on Tuesday against Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s suggestion that the industry was a thing of the past, arguing that U. began in 1979 as a niche chemical blending company providing custom blended chemicals to the then vibrant Upstate South Carolina textile industry. The Carolina Textile Mills Collection provides photographs, maps, blueprints, ephemera, letters, guidebooks and more documenting textile mill history in Upstate South Carolina from various textile mill related collections held by the Clemson University Special Collections unit. 5 million. Page 3 Mill NEWS DEVOTED TO THE TEXTILE INDUSTRIES [Caption Title] Mill News. Greenville Textile Industry The Greenville Textile Industry was a formerly significant portion of the economy in Greenville, South Carolina, with the production of textiles, primarily cotton, at a high level. As the demand for textile products grew, so did the need for textile factories to produce them. Apr 20, 2018 · The textile industry grew quickly after 1880, and South Carolina was one of the leading textile-producing states in the nation for the next forty years. Apr 12, 2025 · The Upstate region of South Carolina was saved by foreign companies after the fall of its textile industry. May 17, 2018 · South Carolina’s history as a textiles powerhouse is well-documented. The job actions they launched spread to New England and the Mid-Atlantic states and became one of the biggest industrial strikes in U. The mills were situated along the rivers of the fall line, where they could use the rapid flow of water to generate hydroelectric energy to power the turbines and machinery. But the Palmetto State still has upwards of 200 locations that the state’s Commerce Department categorizes as textile manufacturing facilities. Feb 15, 2024 · GREENVILLE, S. XXII. Rock Hill’s historic Cotton Factory before its restoration. North Carolina has several assets in the textile industry, ranging from a long history in textile production to being the location of several of the most important global companies, industry associations and educational The South Carolina Textile Council is a division of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance with a mission to enhance the textile manufacturing sector's position within the state. The lives of the mill workers and the history of South Carolina textile mills during this era remain a point of curiosity, almost as much as the lives of our ancestors who lived through the Great Holly Oak Chemical, Inc. The company went on to open plants in Lancaster, SC and Chester, SC. Cotton grown and harvested in the southern United States was the primary source of cotton for New England textile mills in the 19th century. Jun 25, 2023 · South Carolina's geography provided the ideal conditions for the growth of the textile industry. The lives of the mill workers and the history of South Carolina textile mills during this era remain a point of curiosity, almost as much as the lives of our ancestors who lived through the Great Textiles History Spartanburg County, South Carolina Spartanburg County, South Carolina From a rude beginning in 1816 near Cross Keys on the Tyger River, the textile industry in Spartanburg County grew by fits and starts over the past two centuries. As of July, 2025, we have compiled data on 39 verified listings. The 1980s: Diversification Nov 26, 2024 · The Wilson Special Collections Library at UNC Chapel Hill maintains several large collections of business records from individual textile manufacturing firms. From the early days of the state’s history, South Carolina has been known for its production of cotton, which was the primary raw material for textile production. is a specialty weaver owned and managed by the Pennington family that has operated in Upstate South Carolina since 1987. Aug 9, 2010 · The cotton textile industry became one of South Carolina's leading sources of income by the end of the 19th century, but it had its origins in two sets of related technological advances in the late Jun 24, 2023 · The South Carolina Textile Industry The textile industry has long been a major contributor to the economy of South Carolina. Dec 14, 2022 · South Carolina cotton mills sprang up in the mid-to-late 1800s and were a leading industry in South Carolina well into the depression era when the price of cotton plummeted and many mills went under. Beginning in the 1920s, mill owners, pinched by increased competition, raised workers’ machine loads without increasing their pay. At one time Springs was the largest industrial employer in South Carolina. Jun 28, 2016 · From the late nineteenth century through most of the twentieth century, the textile industry dominated South Carolina manufacturing. We are invested in creating a new and dynamic textile industry in our region that values the worker, the environment, and the community. Aug 1, 2016 · By 1929 South Carolina workers began organizing to protest the effects of the stretch-out. Now, tariffs pose another round of uncertainty. Writing in a letter organized by the National Council of At the end of the decade, Springs operated five textile mills in South Carolina as separate companies – Fort Mill Plant, White Plant, Lancaster Plant, Kershaw Plant and Eureka Plant. (Will Crooks/The New York Times) South Carolina residents recall low pay and poor conditions in the old textile mills, questioning the desire for their return. With a keen understanding of fabric production and how fabrics behave in various textile products, Signet Mills is your trusted source for custom engineered fabrics. com to learn more. Even more significantly, the textile industry was interwoven with its employees’ lives to a degree not known before … Table 6. In the Oct 1, 2019 · South Carolina textile mills are also changing from industrial spots to something else. 16 CHARLOTTE, N. makers of apparel and Apr 12, 2025 · The Upstate region of South Carolina was saved by foreign companies after the fall of its textile industry. Given the competitive environment, a set of textile and apparel cluster growth targets are used to examine the contribution that the textile and apparel sectors can make Starting in the 1960s, South Carolina became one of the first states to begin soliciting direct foreign investment which furthered the state's transformation away from agriculture and the textile industry. The region’s textile industry was once the world’s largest, with tens of thousands of manufacturers operating daily. Apr 29, 1999 · The beginning The textile industry began in the South when a group of New England textile manufacturers came to Lincolnton, N. In 1979 Springs acquired Lawtex Industries, a maker of textile home furnishing products, for $15. , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1920 Entered as second class matter at the Post Office at Charlotte. Jan 1, 2010 · In 1897, twenty African American women entered the Beaufort Knitting Mill in Beaufort, South Carolina. This post explores the storm’s impact, the resilience of organizations like Material Return and the Carolina Textile District, and how circularity and localized manufacturing can strengthen the industry against future climate challenges. He produced his first South Carolina design in 1893, the ten-thousand-spindle Union Cotton Mill, for Union County textile entrepreneur Thomas C. Being a largely agrarian society, much of the south struggled to find their place on the industrial stage. Our family has worked in the textile industry for over 90 years and our 50+ associates each average over 25 years of textile experience. […] Aug 1, 2016 · The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA), a powerful networking, information, and lobbying group for the state’s varied manufacturing industries, began as an organization for cotton mill owners in 1902. , after their businesses had been severely affected by a depression As key leaders in South Carolina’s dynamic and resilient textile industry, we write to express our concerns regarding recent remarks you delivered at the White House about the state of our sector, its importance to national security and economic security, and its status as an outdated and diminished industry. We are recognized Jul 3, 2024 · Shaw Industries, a major textile manufacturer in Irmo, stands accused in a lawsuit filed by environmental groups, including the Congaree Riverkeeper organization and the Southern Environmental Law Center. Visit www. – For the first time since the pandemic, the revival of the South Carolina Textile Summit by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) brought together leaders in the state's textile industry for important proceedings during a challenging time for this global sector. Carolina Textile District (CTD) is a member-governed and member-driven network of values-aligned textile manufacturers in North and South Carolina. C. Beginning in the early nineteenth century and continuing through most of the twentieth century the manufacture of textiles dominated industry in South Carolina. Aug 1, 2016 · Springs Industries, a cotton textile company, was founded in 1887 by Samuel Elliott White of Fort Mill. During the mid-to-late 20th century, South Carolina started to see economic progress first in the textile industry and then in manufacturing. 4 million plus the assumption of $13. Learn about the history of the textile industry in South Carolina with this traveling exhibition. The Great Southern Weekly for Textile Workers. Oct 29, 2018 · A look at how black workers changed the landscape of South Carolina's mill culture forever. Montgomery, the home builder W. " Greenville became so Jul 9, 2007 · As the American home fashions business continues to dismantle its manufacturing base and move increasingly off shore, Springs Global said it will shut down its South Carolina bedding manufacturing, closing its giant Grace complex and its H. State and National Employment in Textiles, Apparel, and Related Industries, 2000 to 2005 SC Employmenta 2000 2005 8,905 4,841 31,723 16,591 2,688 1,264 1,944 The North Carolina Business History and Piedmont Industrialization interview series traces the evolution of North Carolina's economy since World War II, by examining the transformation of the state's traditional industries (agriculture, tobacco manufacturing, furniture, textiles, insurance) and the emergence of "new" industries (banking and This guide includes resources for investigating the history and legacy of the textile industry with a focus on Beaumont Mill in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Discover how the boom of the industry led to long hours, low pay, and dangerous conditions. S. During and after Reconstruction, the national economy opened up to South Complete Textile Mill Dataset Fields Overview Our dataset for Textile Mills in South Carolina is one of the most comprehensive in the industry. View photos and stories, and submit your family history to add to the collection. Historically, the textile industry was the major player in South Carolina’s manufacturing economy. Springs began an association with a Brazil based company (Coteminas) in 2001 and merged Jan 13, 2022 · We've worked hard to create a pro-business environment in South Carolina, and Fiber Industries’ new expansion is further evidence that our strategy is paying off. The early mills up until the late 1800s were built on the rivers and larger streams. Apr 13, 2025 · A former textile powerhouse in South Carolina grapples with confusion and challenges as Trump's tariffs impact their industry, affecting jobs and economic stability within this once-bustling community. Greenville, South Carolina, has a rich history in the textile industry dating back to the late 1800’s. This mill was a leader in the development of the region’s textile industry and also the first steam-powered mill in South Carolina. Holly Oak Chemical grew steadily throughout the 1980’s and began to diversify and expand its scope and customer base. history. Aug 7, 2024 · South Carolina has largely shed its textile label, remaking itself into a state known for automotive and aerospace manufacturing. In the early 20th century, more than 40 percent of the state’s farmland produced cotton; and, by the 1930s, the states of North and South Carolina were home to the nation’s two largest textile industries. In the last 20+ years the industry has seen the continuing effects of foreign imports remove the majority of textile manufacturing facilities in the Greenville area. Jan 27, 2025 · Graniteville Mill In 1845, William Gregg purchased 7,952 acres near Horse Creek in Aiken County, South Carolina and established the Graniteville Manufacturing Company. Henry McMaster “South Carolina has a long and storied history as a textile manufacturing leader, and this expansion by Fiber Industries builds on that tradition. Weavetec, Inc. Though the strike was unsuccessful, it helped pave the way for stronger laws to protect workers seeking to join unions. (History NC) Other prospective owners in the South discussed building mills. The mill owners, who began meeting informally to discuss common problems, such as production, availability of labor, and work hours, eventually formed the Cotton Manufacturers Historical Note The Springs Cotton Mill traces it's beginning to the organization of the Fort Mill Manufacturing Co. VOL. Jan 26, 2016 · The company was taken over by Avondale Mills in the 1980s and operated until the 1990s. May 16, 2025 · Transforming South Carolina’s Textile Industry Amid Tariff Challenges Over the past decade, South Carolina’s textile sector—a once-vibrant pillar of the state’s economy—has faced critically important disruption. ” While it might be difficult to quantify that superlative, there’s no question this small city along the Reedy River in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains had Aug 9, 2010 · The textile industry was the dominant industry in South Carolina for many years, but it became so successful that Greenville was even known as the "Textile Capital of the World. textile industry. Aug 1, 2016 · Organized in 1888 by the industrialist John H. Cotton was readily available and grown in its fertile soil and climate. ” Apr 15, 2016 · In South Carolina children, some as young as five years of age, were hired in great numbers by the state’s burgeoning textile industry, some of whom were used to replace emancipated slaves. Factors such as geography, competition, changing tastes, and changing technology have all contributed to the industry’s ups and downs. The fortunes of North Carolina’s textile industry illustrate how industries can grow and shrink. Oct 2, 2018 · Although several other states produce more cotton each year, the South Carolina textile industry sees consistent production levels. Sep 5, 2023 · The textile industry was huge, but there were one or two mills in each town in Greenville because of a brilliant entrepreneur named Ellison Adger Smyth, who was the president of Pelzer Mill, put a whole group of businessmen together and they built 18 textile mills in Greenville, South Carolina. For close to a century, the textile industry was the dominant economic engine driving Spartanburg County’s growth. which opened a plant in Fort Mill, SC in 1888. May 19, 2025 · With calendar year 2024 data now complete and available, this piece returns with an update that confirms the ongoing strength of manufacturing wages in South Carolina. eqigrrzgthlpvwipiwakjxacjqdhnchgyehncccaaxijrgkwm