The American Textile Industry


The Textile Industry has always been one of the major staples in the American economy. However, due to escalating production prices and free trade agreements that the government has begun to take part in, the industry is suffering. The United States ships raw materials to other (typically poorer) countries in which the products are made. The cost of labor is cheaper and gives retail companies the ability to buy and sell at lower costs. This increases competitiveness and has also led to several textile companies having to shut down operations. The following guide is geared towards the textile industry professional who will need to stay abreast of the current topics, issues, government legislation and agreements within the industry. This guide also provides some links to a few professional associations that might be of interest to an individual involved in the industry.  

Government Agencies & Regulations Textile Industry News & Information Textile Industry Professional Associations History of the Textile Industry American Textile Companies Major Textile Industry Issues

Government Agencies & Regulations


  • Office of Textiles and Apparel
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    Summary:  This site contains information about trade data, import quotas, trade legislation, and export programs sponsored by the government. A glossary can be found and publications produced by the agency are available. Information about hot topics in the industry and different organizations such as the WTO, NAFTA, and CITA are provided.  

  • United States Department of Commerce
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    Summary:  This site contains information on business and commerce in the United States. An Economic Analysis can be found as well as data on Economic Development. Information on Free Trade and Technological Innovation are also provided. This site contains a Newsroom for the latest news and current topics in the economy.  

  • United States International Trade Administration
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    Summary:  This site is a specific page from the Office of Textiles and Apparels and provides information on trade with emphasis on textiles and apparel. Provides Trade Information, Trade Advocacy and Trade Compliance Centers. Also gives access to BuyUSA.com and keeps current press releases to view.  

  • United States International Trade Commission
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    Summary:  This site contains more information on trade in the United States. Provides specific cases of incidence through news reports.  

  • United States International Trade Commission
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    Summary:  This site contains the actual Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Textile and Textile Articles are classified and represented in Section XI, Chapters 50-63 of this item of legislation.  

  • International Trade Data Systems
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    Summary:  This site contains information on the International Trade Data Systems federal government information technology initiative. This is a special project of the government to provide a wide variety of information and resources on International Trade. Maintains links to ApparelSearh.com, an apparel and textile industry online guide. Also provides links to some of the previously seen websites in this guide, as well as the National Textile Center which is a research center developed by four universities: Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Institute of Technology and North Carolina State University. 

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    Textile Industry News & Information


  • Emerging Textiles
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    Summary:  This site contains information on Textile markets, trade regulations, materials prices, and quotas and tariffs. Free articles and newsletters are provided. This site is dedicated mostly to Asian and European Textiles, but some United States information can be found.  

  • Manufacturing News
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    Summary:  This site concentrates on the broad manufacturing industry but can provide some useful Textile Information. Must have a subscription to access the most recent articles but some articles from back issues are available on the site for free. 

  • Textile Industries Media Group
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    Summary:  This site concentrates on five Textile publications - two of which are Spanish publications. Information on Industry financials, latest industry news, and events can be found on this site.  

  • Textile News
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    Summary:  This site provides fabric and materials guides. Also gives a listing of some of the largest textile companies, recycling companies and textile guides. Provides links to news sites for more news information.  

  • Southern Textile News
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    Summary:  This site provides information and news on events and issues in the Southeastern region of the United States. Gives full-text Archives for nearly two years back.  

  • World Textile
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    Summary:  This site provides links to the ten publications this company produces. Also provides an analysis and reporting service on the textile industry by the name of Intelex.  

  • Textile Web
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    Summary:  This site provides a free newletter but more importantly serves as a marketplace for buyers and sellers in the industry.  

  • Just
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    Summary:  This site provides research services for companies and individuals. The latest news articles can also be found.  

  • Textile Dictionary
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    Summary:  This site provides information and definitions for a variety of fabrics. These "definitions" indicate the ingredient fibers, weave used, characteristics and uses of the fabric. 

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    Textile Industry Professional Associations


    **This list is by no means complete and only is a small representation of the hundreds of Professional Associations for the Textile Industry and its many Sub-Industries.

  • Textile Society of America (TSA)

    • Summary:  This site contains information for textile professionals. Events, Workshops, Opportunities and Publications are all included on this site.

  • International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA)
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    Summary:  This site is dedicated to notifying members about events, awards and news. Also in this website is a career center and a college connection section.  

  • American Textile Machinery Association (ATMA)
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    Summary:  This site gives an overview of the industry, as well as, notifies members of events, news, and member products. 

  • American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA)
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    Summary:  This site provides news about the industry and an industry overview. Contains an information center that provides newsletters, publications, sites of interest, and upcoming events.  

  • American Flock Association (AFA)
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    Summary:  This site contains information about what flocking is and events and news of this sub-industry. 

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    History of the Textile Industry


  • The Textile Museum

    • Summary:  This site gives information about hours of operation, visitor's information, and a calendar of events. Informs the visitor of what collections and exhibits can be seen in the museum. It also is possible to shop online in the Museum Gift Shop.

  • American Textile History Museum

    • Summary: This site contains information for visitation, programs and events, and conservation. Current, past and future exhibits can be found on the site. Education about the textile industry is among the priorities of this institution. It is also possible to shop online at the virtual museum shop.

  • History Site

    • Summary: By clicking on Textile in the Contents at the top of this page, a history of the textile industry and the Industrial Revolution will be presented.

  • Library of Congress: Exhibit Online

    • Summary: This site contains photographs and interview excerpts. This takes the visitor on a journey through Paterson, New Jersey which is considered to be one of the leading manufacturing cities during the Industrial Revolution. The American Folklife Center created this project that now has 470 interview excerpts and 3,882 photographs that are housed in the Center.

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    American Textile Companies


  • Milliken & Company

    • Summary: Based in Spartanburg, South Carolina

  • Avondale Mills

    • Summary: Based in Monroe, Georgia

  • Delta Woodside Industries, Inc.

    • Summary: Based in Duluth, Georgia

  • Burke Mills, Inc.

    • Summary: Based in Valdese, North Carolina

  • Reeves Brothers, Inc.

    • Summary: Based in Norwalk, Connecticut with supporting administrative offices in Spartanburg, South Carolina

  • Fab Industries, Inc.

    • Summary: Based in New York, New York

  • Johnston Industries, Inc.

    • Summary: Based in Columbus, Georgia

  • Shaw Industries, Inc.

    • Summary: Based in Dalton, Georgia but is a subsidiary of the Nebraska based company Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

  • Velcro Industries N.V.

    • Summary: Based in Manchester, New Hampshire

  • Cone Mills Corporation

    • Summary:  Based in Greensboro, North Carolina

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    Major Textile Industry Issues


  • Sustainable Alternative Network: Cleaner Technologies

    • Summary:  This site contains information for industry professionals on manufacturing techniques that will assist in saving the environment. Gives finance, planning and regulations information.

  • Unite!

    • Summary:  This site contains information about this organization and the issues it is trying to resolve. Sweatshops being among the most mentioned. Also provides a political action section dedicated to the fight against the issues and the legislation that results.

  • Behind the Label: Organization Against Importing

    • Summary:  This site contains information on hot topics and issues facing the textile industry. Also provides news and a free e-newsletter subscription.

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    Created by Jennifer Land - December 2, 2002
    Email: jland7@hotmail.com