Mount Vernon Mills Expands Chemicals Business

Mauldin, S.C.-based textile manufacturer Mount Vernon Mills Inc. has expanded its chemicals business during 2007 through the acquisition of several chemicals companies. The company will offer the products of that business domestically and internationally in both textile and non-textile industry markets.

Companies acquired in 2007 include Apollo Chemicals; Sage Technology; FCI Technologies; American Manufacturing International; and Chemical Technologies, which includes Callaway Chemicals, Crompton & Knowles and Yorkshire Pat-Chem. New plant locations include Graham, N.C., Opelika, Ala., and San Pedro Sula, Honduras — all of which are ISO 9002-certified. The acquisitions have added 75 employees to the chemical group’s employee base of 50.

“These performance and specialty products are extensions and complements to the products currently produced at our Phil Chem plants in Greer and Ware Shoals, S.C.,” said William E. “Bill” Duncan, vice president, Mount Vernon Mills. He added that certain recently acquired products will be manufactured in Ware Shoals.

According to Mount Vernon, its chemicals business has increased twelve-fold since it acquired Phil Chem in 2003, and it now sells its products in 20 countries, with a significant proportion going to Central America.

November/December 2007