Our Legacy
1923. That's the year we began our journey to becoming the number one textile company in the world. Since then, we've continued to develop high-quality, high-tech, innovative fabric solutions.
An innovator from the beginning, J. Spencer Love founded Burlington Mills on November 6, 1923. The first mill was built in Burlington, NC in the middle of a cornfield employing nearly 200 people.
With a new trucking fleet, Burlington quickly became the largest weaver of rayon fabric in the US specializing in bedding and moving into hosiery by the end of the decade.
With a new trucking fleet, Burlington quickly became the largest weaver of rayon fabric in the US specializing in bedding and moving into hosiery by the end of the decade.
Burlington Mills became Burlington Industries to encompass their diverse offerings. Burlington received its first shipment of acrylic yarn in 1950 and by 1952 aired its first television ad. Through their acquisition of Pacific Mills, Burlington acquired what continues to be our Raeford plant today.
We highlight innovation as Burlington House opened its merchandising headquarters in NYC, employees with more than 35 years of service attended the renaming of the Piedmont Weaving Plant to the Pioneer Plant, and the famous Burlington dancing man won several television commercial awards.
A new corporate office is built in Greensboro. As Burlington celebrates their 50th anniversary in 1973, William Klopman is elected president, but moves to the position of chairman and CEO by 1978.
Burlington acquires new businesses and increases their innovation throughout the decade with new product offerings and technological advancements.
Burlington celebrates 75 years. Burlington’s denim division expands with the most modern denim operation in the US with their Stonewall, MS plant as well as a new Burlmex plant in Mexico.
As we enter a new century, Burlington Labs opens. Continuing this expansion, manufacturing reaches the Far East with the opening of Jiaxing Burlington Textile (JBT) in 2007. A year later, Burlington received its EPA registration for No Fly Zone®️.
Burlington patents several fire service technologies with flame resistant properties such as Sigma 4-Star, PBI Max, and Versatech FR & Stealth and becomes a bluesign®️ system partner.
1920s
An innovator from the beginning, J. Spencer Love founded Burlington Mills on November 6, 1923. The first mill was built in Burlington, NC in the middle of a cornfield employing nearly 200 people.
1930s
With a new trucking fleet, Burlington quickly became the largest weaver of rayon fabric in the US specializing in bedding and moving into hosiery by the end of the decade.
1940s
Burlington and its research labs shifted production to goods for the government and more women went to work in the plants as more than 4,000 employees entered the military. After the war, Burlington opened its first plants overseas.
1950s
Burlington Mills became Burlington Industries to encompass their diverse offerings. Burlington received its first shipment of acrylic yarn in 1950 and by 1952 aired its first television ad. Through their acquisition of Pacific Mills, Burlington acquired what continues to be our Raeford plant today.
1960s
We highlight innovation as Burlington House opened its merchandising headquarters in NYC, employees with more than 35 years of service attended the renaming of the Piedmont Weaving Plant to the Pioneer Plant, and the famous Burlington dancing man won several television commercial awards.
1970s
A new corporate office is built in Greensboro. As Burlington celebrates their 50th anniversary in 1973, William Klopman is elected president, but moves to the position of chairman and CEO by 1978.
1980s
Burlington acquires new businesses and increases their innovation throughout the decade with new product offerings and technological advancements.
1990s
Burlington celebrates 75 years. Burlington’s denim division expands with the most modern denim operation in the US with their Stonewall, MS plant as well as a new Burlmex plant in Mexico.
2000s
As we enter a new century, Burlington Labs opens. Continuing this expansion, manufacturing reaches the Far East with the opening of Jiaxing Burlington Textile (JBT) in 2007. A year later, Burlington received its EPA registration for No Fly Zone®️.
2010s
Burlington patents several fire service technologies with flame resistant properties such as Sigma 4-Star, PBI Max, and Versatech FR & Stealth and becomes a bluesign®️ system partner.
Since 1923...
Burlington fabrics have been trusted to perform for over 100 years. Today, we continue our commitment to supply advanced performance fabrics to the apparel, military, activewear, barrier and contract markets around the world. Our mission is simple. Our values are set. We develop the fabric of tomorrow driven by innovation, sustainability and heritage.
Innovation
By exploring emerging technologies and proprietary chemistries and applications, Burlington Labs stays at the forefront of R&D. The result – a continuous stream of differentiated fabrics and textile solutions.
Sustainability
There is no better way to ensure the prosperity of future generations than by protecting our precious resources – employees, environment, and community. We take seriously our responsibility to identify new and unique ways to produce fabric more sustainably.
Heritage
Throwing aside “that’s the way we’ve always done it” – we look to new ways, new solutions and an open willingness to explore the unknown with the goal of finding a better way to develop and make fabrics. Moving forward; never standing still.
We're Part of a Bigger Family
Burlington operates as part of Elevate Textiles with worldwide operations in the United States, Mexico, and China. Elevate Textiles, a portfolio company of Platinum Equity, offers global textile brands including American & Efird, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components.
