Hamrick Mills, Gaffney, S.C., was among several companies and individuals to be honored at the
Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s recent annual awards banquet. The fifth-generation
family-owned textile manufacturer, winner of the chamber’s Business of the Year award, was
recognized for its long-standing success and for its contributions and service to the local
community.
Hamrick Mills, established in Gaffney in 1900 by Dr. Wylie C. Hamrick and other investors
under the name Limestone Mills, originally manufactured window shade cloth and today operates two
vertical spinning and weaving mills that produce light- to medium-weight fabrics for apparel, home
furnishings and industrial applications. The company currently is led by members of the third,
fourth and fifth generations of the Hamrick family; and its workforce including manufacturing,
supervisory and corporate personnel totals approximately 370 people.
“Hamrick Mills is one of the most important companies in Cherokee County,” said Kayla Robbs,
executive director, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. “It is still a strong and very vibrant
company within the textile industry, and a very well-loved company in this community. A lot of
people have ties to the company — their parents and grandparents worked for Hamrick Mills over the
years — and people have very warm, strong, positive feelings about the company. We were really
happy to be able to recognize Hamrick Mills.”
“Hamrick Mills is a long-time member of the Cherokee County and the South Carolina Chambers
of Commerce. Members of the Hamrick family and employees of the company are very active in the
various activities and functions within the county, the city of Gaffney and the state,” said Jim
Hopkins, sales and marketing manager, Hamrick Mills. “The company plans to continue to provide a
source of employment to the people of Cherokee County and surrounding communities and
maintain/sustain textile operations for the generations to come.”
March 1, 2011
