2026 The Largest Textile Mills in the U.S. - QL Textiles

The textile industry remains a vital cornerstone of American manufacturing, weaving together tradition, innovation, and economic resilience. While many associate U.S. textiles with a bygone era, today’s industry tells a different story. Modern American textile mills are technology-driven powerhouses that combine advanced automation, sustainable practices, and specialized production to compete on the global stage.

The First U.S. Textile Mill in History

The American textile industry was ignited in 1790 by Samuel Slater, the “Father of the American Industrial Revolution,” who replicated British machinery from memory to establish the nation’s first water-powered cotton mill in Rhode Island. This breakthrough catalyzed America’s pivot from an agrarian economy to an industrial powerhouse, with massive mill complexes first saturating New England before migrating south during the 20th century. Driven by lower labor costs and proximity to raw cotton, this shift established the modern manufacturing corridor still centered in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama.

Overview of the U.S. Textile Industry in 2025

• The U.S. textile mill market is projected to reach around $45 billion in revenue by 2025.
• Automation, smart manufacturing, and reshoring are driving competitiveness.
• Growth is now concentrated in technical, performance, and sustainable textiles rather than commodity fabrics.

Criteria for the Ranking

• Annual production capacity or revenue scale
• Product categories (yarn, woven fabrics, nonwovens, technical textiles)
• Market coverage (domestic vs export)
• Certifications and sustainability programs (ISO, OEKO-TEX, ZDHC, etc.)

Top 10 Largest Textile Mills in the U.S. (2026)

1. Milliken & Company (South Carolina)

Headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, since 1865, Milliken & Company is one of the world’s largest privately held manufacturers specializing in materials science. This family-owned innovator operates more than 40 global facilities, delivering a diverse portfolio that includes performance apparel, industrial textiles, flooring, and specialty chemicals. From outfitting elite athletes to providing life-saving protective gear for the military, Milliken’s massive scale and multi-industry expertise make it a silent but essential pillar of the global textile value chain.

The company’s competitive edge lies in its rigorous R&D, which produces proprietary technologies like moisture management, antimicrobial finishes, and flame-resistant treatments. These advancements are balanced by a deep-seated commitment to sustainability, evidenced by significant reductions in water and energy consumption and a portfolio backed by OEKO-TEX and ISO certifications. By blending technical performance with environmental stewardship, Milliken continues to redefine the standards of modern manufacturing.

Official site: https://www.milliken.com/en-us

2. Elevate Textiles (North Carolina)

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Elevate Textiles is a global powerhouse formed through strategic acquisitions of iconic American brands like Burlington, Cone Denim, and American & Efird. By maintaining these distinct brand identities under one corporate umbrella, Elevate leverages a massive shared innovation infrastructure and a flexible manufacturing network spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia. This structure allows them to deliver everything from heritage denim to high-performance technical fabrics for the athletic, outdoor, and protective gear markets.

Innovation at Elevate is driven by a commitment to rigorous specifications and global supply chain efficiency, ensuring quality consistency across all regions. This focus on performance is matched by a robust sustainability strategy, which includes science-based emissions targets and strict adherence to ZDHC chemical compliance guidelines. By balancing industrial scale with environmental responsibility, Elevate Textiles remains a leader in the evolution of modern, high-tech material science.

Official site: www.elevatetextiles.com/

3. Parkdale Mills (North Carolina)

Based in Gastonia, North Carolina, Parkdale Mills is one of the world’s largest independent yarn producers and a cornerstone of the global textile supply chain. This family-owned giant operates dozens of spinning facilities across the U.S., Mexico, and Central America, processing billions of pounds of cotton and synthetic fibers annually. By producing a vast range of yarn counts and constructions, Parkdale serves as the fundamental building block for countless apparel and fabric manufacturers throughout North America.

The company maintains a competitive edge through deep vertical integration with U.S. cotton growers and heavy investment in advanced spinning automation. These technologies allow Parkdale to achieve world-class productivity and quality consistency that rivals low-cost overseas labor. Furthermore, their ability to trace fiber sources directly back to American farms supports domestic agriculture while providing brands with the transparency required for modern “Made in USA” initiatives.

Official site: www.parkdalemills.com

4. Glen Raven, Inc. (North Carolina)

Since 1880, North Carolina-based Glen Raven, Inc. has led the performance textile industry, most notably through its flagship brand, Sunbrella. Dominating the outdoor and marine markets, Sunbrella’s solution-dyed acrylics are engineered to resist fading and mildew while maintaining a premium, soft aesthetic. Beyond consumer decor, the company’s technical expertise serves the automotive, military, and protective workwear sectors, establishing it as a global authority on high-end, durable materials.

Glen Raven’s edge lies in its total vertical integration, controlling the production process from fiber extrusion to final finishing to ensure rapid innovation and quality. This agility, paired with trend-focused design studios, allows the company to quickly translate global style shifts into high-performance fabrics. By blending industrial-grade durability with sophisticated design, Glen Raven continues to set the standard for the decorative textile market.

Official website: www.glenraven.com

5. Unifi, Inc. (North Carolina)

Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Unifi, Inc. has transitioned from a traditional synthetic yarn manufacturer into a global leader in the circular economy. The company is best known for its flagship brand, REPREVE, which transforms billions of post-consumer plastic bottles annually into high-quality recycled polyester. These performance fibers match the quality of virgin polyester while drastically reducing environmental impact, making Unifi a primary supplier for hundreds of major global brands like Nike, The North Face, and Ford.

To ensure industry-leading transparency, Unifi utilizes its U TRUST® verification program, providing brands with traceable proof of recycled content to combat “greenwashing.” This rigorous certification, combined with high-performance output for apparel, footwear, and automotive interiors, proves that recycled materials can compete on quality and scale. By bridging the gap between waste management and textile innovation, Unifi remains a cornerstone of sustainable manufacturing.

Official site: www.unifi.com

6. American & Efird (A&E)

Headquartered in Mount Holly, North Carolina, American & Efird (A&E) is a global leader in industrial sewing threads and embroidery products. A critical supplier for the apparel, automotive, and footwear industries, A&E provides high-performance threads engineered for maximum strength, durability, and colorfastness. By combining domestic manufacturing with a vast international distribution network, the company offers technical expertise that optimizes production speed and reliability for manufacturers worldwide.

A&E has placed sustainability at the core of its operations, developing specialized thread lines from recycled polyester and organic cotton. The company utilizes advanced dyeing systems to minimize environmental impact and maintains strict ZDHC compliance to ensure chemical safety and responsible production. This balance of global reach and environmental stewardship reinforces A&E’s position as a premier partner for brands seeking both high-performance materials and verifiable sustainability.

Official website: www.amefird.com

7. Mount Vernon Mills (Georgia)

Based in Alto, Georgia, Mount Vernon Mills is a premier family-owned manufacturer specializing in denim, uniform fabrics, and protective textiles. By maintaining fully integrated operations—from yarn spinning to final finishing—the company exerts total control over quality and remains highly responsive to custom industrial specifications. This vertical integration allows them to serve both consumer and institutional markets with durable, American-made fabrics that meet the rigorous standards of public safety and industrial workwear.

The company’s strategic location in Georgia provides a distinct geographic advantage, ensuring proximity to raw materials and a streamlined domestic supply chain. In an industry where many competitors have moved offshore, Mount Vernon Mills has thrived by offering shorter lead times and reliable domestic sourcing. Their commitment to consistency and flexible development continues to make them a vital partner for organizations requiring dependable, high-performance textile solutions.

Official site: www.mvmills.com

8. Shaw Industries Group (Georgia)

Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia—the “Carpet Capital of the World”—Shaw Industries Group is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and a global leader in flooring textiles. With a workforce of over 20,000, Shaw operates as a massive, vertically integrated manufacturer, producing billions of square yards of carpet and resilient flooring annually for residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. The company maintains its competitive edge through advanced material science, utilizing proprietary technologies like R2X stain resistance and continuous filament fiber innovations to deliver superior durability and comfort.

Environmental stewardship is a pillar of Shaw’s operations, highlighted by one of the world’s largest carpet reclamation programs. Their commitment to a circular economy is validated by multiple Cradle to Cradle® certifications, which ensure material safety and sustainable production models. By blending industrial scale with rigorous environmental standards, Shaw remains a dominant force in the global flooring market.

Official site: www.shawinc.com

9. Mohawk Industries (Georgia)

Headquartered in Calhoun, Georgia, Mohawk Industries is the world’s largest flooring manufacturer and a global leader in textile-based surfaces. With over 21,000 U.S. employees and $11 billion in annual revenue, the company manages a premier brand portfolio including Karastan, Mohawk, and Godfrey Hirst. By integrating design, manufacturing, and large-scale recycling operations, Mohawk maintains an expansive supply chain that delivers high-performance carpets, rugs, and hard surfaces to residential and commercial markets worldwide.

Innovation and sustainability are central to Mohawk’s strategy, particularly through its Continuum process, which transforms billions of plastic bottles annually into high-quality polyester carpet fiber. This commitment to circular manufacturing is paired with significant investments in renewable energy and water conservation programs. By merging advanced fiber systems, which enhance softness and resilience, with responsible resource management, Mohawk continues to set the benchmark for large-scale, sustainable textile production.

Official site: www.mohawkind.com

10. Inman Mills (South Carolina)

Inman Mills represents the enduring strength of specialized textile manufacturing. Operating from Inman, South Carolina since 1902, this family-owned company has evolved from traditional cotton spinning into a modern manufacturer serving diverse markets with quality yarns and fabrics.

Its heritage provides deep knowledge and refined processes developed over a century. This experience translates into consistency and technical expertise valued by long-term customers.

Modernization in spinning and finishing has kept Inman Mills competitive. Strategic investments in automation and process control enable productivity comparable to larger competitors.

Inman Mills focuses on niche markets where flexibility and service provide advantages, maintaining strong relationships and steady demand through reliability and specialization.

Official site: www.inmanmills.com

Regional Concentration

Textile manufacturing in the United States is still concentrated in the Southeast, especially the Carolinas and Georgia, due to longstanding infrastructure, supplier networks, and logistics advantages.

North Carolina and South Carolina lead in textile employment and output, with hubs such as Greensboro, Charlotte, and Greenville. Georgia is a center for carpet and flooring textiles around Dalton and northwest Georgia, while Alabama has a strong base in nonwovens and technical fabrics.

Access to cotton, efficient transportation, established facilities, and an experienced workforce reinforce this regional clustering and its cost and innovation benefits.

QL Textiles: A Leading Textile Mill

While this article focuses on U.S. manufacturers, understanding global competition provides context. QL Textiles, a Chinese mill, exemplifies the sophistication of international competitors American mills face today.

Modern Chinese manufacturers have shifted from low-cost production to high-tech, sustainable textile manufacturing. They invest in advanced European and Japanese machinery, adopt global quality standards, and increasingly focus on specialized, high-performance products.

For brands seeking comprehensive textile solutions, QL Textiles provides design, production, and quality assurance capabilities of home and hotel textiles, bridging domestic and international supply chain strategies.

Conclusion

The largest textile mills in the U.S. represent the backbone of domestic manufacturing, blending tradition with innovation. Their investments in technology, sustainability, and skilled labor continue to reinforce America’s position in global textile production. However, if you need to work with a more cost-effective mill for hotel and home textile, please contact QL Textiles here, the team will respond within 24 working hours.

FAQs

What defines a textile mill versus a textile company?

A textile mill specifically refers to a manufacturing facility that processes fibers into yarns or fabrics through spinning, weaving, knitting, or nonwoven production. The term emphasizes physical production capability. A textile company may engage in various activities, including design, sourcing, or retail, without necessarily owning mills. Some textile companies own mills, while others outsource manufacturing.

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