Barnet Europe, a Spartanburg, S.C.-based Barnet group company, has begun construction on its new European headquarters in Eschweiler, Germany. The 21,000-square-meter facility — housing office, production and warehouse space — is expected to open in early 2026.

“This sustainably designed new building will replace our existing sites in Aachen and Raeren (Belgium), significantly increasing the efficiency of our production and logistics processes while laying a strong foundation for expanding our product portfolio,”said Bernd Lenzen, managing director of Barnet Europe.“The new site is designed with growth in mind and will enable us to create additional jobs. In a first phase, we will relocate operations with around 100 employees, offering them a modern, future-oriented work environment.”

2025 Quarterly Issue II

Renaissance Fiber (RF), Winston-Salem, N.C., has received a $75,000 investment from Equilibrium Impact Ventures to support the launch of its hemp fiber refining facility in Mocksville, N.C. The funding will enable RF to scale its clean, proprietary process for “cottonizing” U.S.-grown hemp, making it compatible with existing textile machinery and enhancing fiber performance. The project aims to build a transparent, sustainable farm-to-fabric supply chain while creating new opportunities for U.S. farmers and manufacturers.

“This investment from Equilibrium Impact Ventures is crucial for launching the initial phase of our infrastructure buildout in Mocksville,” said Daniel Yohannes, CEO and co-founder of Renaissance Fiber. “For the first time, we can scale our process to integrate degummed hemp as a versatile fiber into U.S. and global textile production. By building this advanced refining capacity here in North Carolina, we are not just enabling sustainable, domestic fiber production — we are creating vital new opportunities for American farmers and manufacturers to lead the global shift towards eco-friendly textiles.”

2025 Quarterly Issue II

Champion Thread Company (CTC), Gastonia, N.C., has acquired Carolina Sales Thread Inc., a regional distributor serving the needle trades. The acquisition aligns with CTC’s strategic growth plan and expands its customer base.

“This is a significant step in our strategic growth plan that will allow us to deliver greater value to all current and future customers,” said CTC President and CEO Matt Poovey. “Former Carolina Sales customers will significantly benefit from our responsive U.S.-based manufacturing, broad product range, and enhanced service capabilities.”

Retiring Carolina Sales Owner David Hall stated: “Our shared commitment to customer service and the USA textile industry makes this a perfect fit. It will positively impact our customers and help ensure their continued success.”

2025 Quarterly Issue II

Bondcote Performance Textiles (BPT), a subsidiary of XFS Global LLC, has acquired Graniteville Specialty Fabrics (GSF), an innovator in high-performance coated textiles.The move strengthens BPT’s role in the U.S. defense and industrial textile markets while expanding its capabilities and customer partnerships. GSF will continue operating from its Graniteville, S.C., facility, with its team and product lines integrating into BPT.

“This acquisition is more than combining product lines — it strengthens our shared future as a trusted partner to the defense and industrial textile markets,” said Jacob Furbee, CEO of XFS Global and BPT.

“We are proud of our 70-year legacy, and the Graniteville Specialty Fabrics team is excited about our future as part of Bondcote Performance Textiles,” added Doug Johnson, COO, GSF.

Atlanta-based Hamilton International has announced a strategic equity investment in Monroe, N.C.-based Warp Development, forming an equal partnership to accelerate growth, and enhance capabilities and customer value. Chad Clay will remain CEO of Warp Development, ensuring leadership continuity as the company expands.

“This partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence and customer success,”said Art Hamilton, president and CEO of Hamilton International.“… investing in Chad and his team is an investment in the future of our industry.”

Warp Development gains access to expanded resources through the partnership.“Partnering with Hamilton gives us the operational and strategic support we need to expand faster and serve our customers even better,”Clay noted.

The collaboration aims to deliver enhanced responsiveness, broader service offerings, and a more streamlined supply chain for customers.

2025 Quarterly Issue II

Culp Inc., High Point, N.C., has completed the sale of its mattress fabric manufacturing facility in Quebec marking the final step in a restructuring plan announced one year ago. The C$8.6 million ($6.2 million) sale includes C$2.0 million received at closing, with the balance to be paid over the next six to 12 months. Net proceeds of between C$3-3.5 million will be used to reduce debt and improve liquidity.

“Our ability to reshape the cost structure of our mattress fabric business and complete the final step of selling our facility in Canada within a year is a testament to [our team’s] focus and dedication,” said Iv Culp, president and CEO. “Exiting the facility also allows us to avoid monthly carrying costs… and further strengthen our balance sheet and liquidity.”

2025 Quarterly Issue II

Rieter has signed an agreement to acquire Barmag from Switzerland-based OC Oerlikon for 713 million Swiss francs ($872 million), aiming to become a global leader in both natural and man-made fiber processing.

Barmag provides filament spinning systems, texturing machines, bulked continuous filament systems, staple fiber spinning and nonwoven solutions through its Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven brands.

The acquisition adds filament and nonwoven technologies to Rieter’s short-staple fiber portfolio and is expected to diversify markets, enhance digitalization, and strengthen Rieter’s presence in Asia-Pacific.

“We are very proud to welcome Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven to Rieter,” said CEO Thomas Oetterli. “We are convinced that this combination will form a market leader in the textile industry, which will create value for our shareholders, customer and employees.”

Barmag CEO Georg Stausberg added: “We will benefit from each other as textile companies from market understanding, technology expertise and complementary offering.”

The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025, pending regulatory approval.

2025 Quarterly Issue II

Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Dockers® brand to Authentic Brands Group for an initial value of $311 million, with the potential to increase to $391 million through an earnout tied to future performance. The move supports LS&Co.’s focus on its direct-to-consumer strategy and investment in denim and women’s categories.

“The Dockers transaction further aligns our portfolio with our strategic priorities, focusing on our direct-to-consumer (DTC) first approach, growing our international presence and investing in opportunities across women’s and denim lifestyle,” said Michelle Gass, president and CEO of LS&Co.

The deal is expected to close in stages between July 2025 and January 2026.

Authentic plans to grow the brand, with Founder, Chairman and CEO Jamie Salter noting, “Dockers is a natural fit for the Authentic model.”

2025 Quarterly Issue II

Los Angeles-based BELLA+CANVAS and Cleveland-based Stakes Manufacturing have formed a strategic partnership to offer domestic and near-shore supply chain solutions for global brands and major retailers. The collaboration comes as shifting trade policies and tariffs push companies to reconsider offshore production. BELLA+CANVAS offers premium apparel manufacturing, while Stakes delivers on-demand printing and fulfillment. The partnership will prioritize speed, quality, sustainability, cost efficiency and U.S. job creation.

“Our goal is to support the evolving global landscape and help our partners navigate the challenges stemming from tariffs, while also unlocking new opportunities to optimize for a more balanced and resilient supply chain”said Stakes Manufacturing Co-Founder Jed Seifert.

“Our partnership with Stakes enables retail-quality digital printing at scale, empowering brands to stay competitive and nimble in today’s volatile global market” added Megan Spire, vice president of BELLA+CANVAS.

2025 Quarterly Issue II

GenuTrace LLC, Brightwaters, N.Y., has officially launched to provide science-based traceability solutions that verify product origin, protect brands, and ensure supply chain transparency.

Founded by MeiLin Wan, formerly an executive with Applied DNA Sciences, GenuTrace combines stable isotope analysis, chemical tracers, and material fingerprinting using blockchain, with digital product passports and AI-powered mapping to help companies meet global regulations. The company’s core services include origin verification, full supply chain traceability, and strategic communication support.

“At GenuTrace, we ask one powerful question: If you claim it, can you prove it? Paper trails aren’t enough,” Wan said. “We help brands back their claims with science — and build real transparency from farm to finished product.”

2025 Quarterly Issue II