Textile Industry History And Current Job Market In Carolina
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.
History of the Textile Industry in the Carolinas
The textile industry was a dominant force in the Carolinas for over a century, particularly from the late 19th century through the majority of the 20th century.
- Early Beginnings (Pre-1880s): Factory production of textiles began in fits and starts after the Revolutionary War, often utilizing the numerous rapidly flowing watercourses in the Upcountry regions of both states (e.g., Spartanburg, Greenville, Rock Hill in SC, and Lincoln County in NC). Early mills were often small, employing local farmers’ children and older daughters. William Gregg’s Graniteville Manufacturing Company in South Carolina (established 1849) was a notable antebellum enterprise, modeling itself after large integrated operations in the North.
- Rapid Growth (Post-1880s to Mid-20th Century): After 1880, the industry experienced rapid growth. This was fueled by several factors:
- Proximity to Raw Materials: Being closer to cotton plantations in the South reduced transportation costs.
- Lower Labor Costs: Wage rates in the South were significantly lower (sometimes 50% lower than New England), and until the early 20th century, a lack of labor laws allowed mills to operate for longer hours (e.g., 66+ hours a week).
- Technological Advancements: Mills adopted state-of-the-art plants.
- Labor Availability: The shift from slavery to sharecropping and the deepening poverty in rural areas led to a large migration of white farmers and Appalachians to mill towns, providing a steady labor supply.
- Dominance: By 1900, South Carolina was second only to Massachusetts in cotton-textile production, and by 1930, it ranked second behind North Carolina. North Carolina became the largest textile producer in the country by 1923.
- Mill Villages: Many companies built “mill villages” providing housing, stores, and sometimes schools and churches for their workers, creating entire communities centered around the factories.
- Challenges and Decline (Late 20th Century): The industry faced significant challenges starting in the latter half of the 20th century:
- Globalization and Free Trade: The push towards globalization and free trade agreements like NAFTA (1994) led to manufacturing jobs shifting overseas to countries with even lower labor costs.
- Increased Competition: The emergence of East and South Asia as textile powerhouses created intense import competition.
- Automation and Productivity Gains: While beneficial for efficiency, improved machinery and manufacturing processes also reduced the need for manual labor, contributing to job losses.
- Company Closures: Hundreds of mills closed, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, devastating many small mill towns and leaving workers without transferable skills. For example, North Carolina saw a 65% decrease in textile employment from 1996 to 2006.
Current Job Market in the Carolinas Textile Industry
While the textile industry in the Carolinas is no longer the mass employer it once was, it has not disappeared. Instead, it has undergone a significant transformation, focusing on specialized, high-tech, and value-added textiles. The job market reflects this shift.
Key Trends and Focus Areas:
- Technical and Advanced Textiles (Nonwovens): This is a major growth area. North Carolina, for instance, has the largest concentration of nonwovens companies in the US, specializing in engineered fabrics. These are used in diverse applications like:
- Medical masks and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Automotive liners
- Firefighting suits and military uniforms
- Geotextiles, filtration media, and aerospace components
- Sustainability and Recycling: The Carolinas are emerging as hubs for textile recycling, circular economy initiatives, and sustainable clothing startups. Companies like Unifi (producing recycled polyester – Repreve) and Material Return (reprocessing post-consumer garments) are examples of this trend. There’s a growing focus on using sustainable materials and processes.
- Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation: North Carolina, in particular, leads in textile R&D.
- NC State University’s Wilson College of Textiles: This is the only university in the U.S. entirely devoted to textiles education and is considered a top global institution. It serves as a hub for R&D, talent development, and industry partnerships.
- Community Colleges: Several community colleges (e.g., Gaston Community College, Catawba Valley Community College) offer dedicated training programs, manufacturing technology centers, and services like product testing and customized training for textile companies.
- Export-Oriented Production: Carolina textile firms are increasingly exporting intermediate goods (like yarns and fabrics) to overseas firms for final product assembly.
Types of Jobs Available (Examples):
The current job market requires a more skilled and specialized workforce than the traditional mill worker roles. You’ll find opportunities in:
- Production & Operations:
- Textile Machine Operators (though often with higher tech requirements than before)
- Production Associates/Teammates
- Maintenance Technicians (especially for advanced textile machinery, including weaving and knitting machines)
- Production Managers, Supervisors
- Quality Control/Assurance Technicians and Supervisors
- Material Handlers/Utility
- Engineering & Technical Roles:
- Textile Engineers (Process Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers)
- Product Design Engineers (especially for weaving and technical textiles)
- Research & Development Scientists/Engineers
- Lab Technicians (for textile testing and data analysis)
- Maintenance Automation Specialists / Controls Engineers
- Robotics Field Application Engineers (as automation increases)
- Management & Business Roles:
- Supply Chain Managers
- Account Managers (especially for technical textiles and fibers)
- Sales Managers (for nonwoven filtration, fabrics)
- Marketing Managers
- Human Resources Administrators
Major Companies (Examples of those with a presence and often hiring):
- Elevate Textiles (includes Safety Components in SC)
- Standard Textile (various locations in SC)
- Mohawk Industries (global flooring leader with operations in the Carolinas, often hiring for manufacturing and related roles)
- Gildan Activewear Inc. (apparel manufacturing, with textile operations like in Salisbury, NC)
- Cotton Incorporated (research and promotion, with opportunities in research, technical services, and marketing)
- Unifi (recycled polyester, based in NC)
- Keer America Corp. (textile manufacturing, e.g., Fort Mill, SC)
- Bekaert Textiles USA, Inc. (Winston-Salem, NC – knitting and finishing)
- TS Designs (sustainable apparel manufacturing, Burlington, NC)
Job Outlook:
While the overall numbers of textile manufacturing jobs are lower than peak historical levels, the industry in the Carolinas is stable and strategically important due to its focus on high-value, specialized products, innovation, and sustainability. The demand is for a more skilled workforce capable of operating advanced machinery, managing complex processes, and driving innovation in materials science. Education and specialized training from institutions like NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles and various community colleges play a crucial role in preparing this workforce.