North Carolina Textile Industry in Transition: 1970s to 2020s

Abstract

In the early 1970s, the North Carolina textile industry (i.e., textile mills/textile mill products/apparel) was thriving and vibrant, one of the state's top manufacturing industries. Following peak employment and establishments in the early 1990s, plants began to close, and employment layoffs became common. A second wave of layoffs occurred in the early 2000s. In contrast, new textile and apparel companies opened in the subsequent decade and into the 2020s. This in-depth historical study examines primary and secondary sources, including government and company documents, archival newspapers and historic maps. The findings held evidence that the early publicly-traded mega-corporations were susceptible to competition from low-wage countries and hostile takeovers. A few long-term companies are survivors and have invested in their plants with capital improvements for high-tech processes. New textile and apparel companies continue to be located in North Carolina because of the state's skilled workforce and proximity to applicable suppliers.