Textile Manufacturing Industry Profile

The US textile manufacturing industry includes about 9,000 companies with combined annual sales of about $60 billion. Major US companies include Guilford Mills, International Textile Group, National Spinning, Parkdale Mills, and Unifi. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 60 percent of revenue.

Worldwide textile exports generate more than $200 billion annually, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). China dominates the global industry; other major players include the European Union, the US, South Korea, and India. Leading global manufacturers include Weiqiao Textile Company Limited (the largest cotton textile producer in China), Toray Industries of Japan, and Hyosung Corporation of South Korea.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by the domestic apparel industry and consumer demand for home furnishings like carpets, furniture, and curtains. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations. Large companies have economies of scale in production for high-volume items. Small companies can compete successfully by producing specialized textiles.

Exports represent about 15 percent of US textile production. The main export destinations include Canada, Mexico, the UK, and Australia. Many manufacturers ship fabric to other countries for sewing into final garments, which are then reimported into the US. Textile imports, which account for about one-third of the US market, come mainly from China, India, Pakistan, Mexico, and Canada.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products are yarns and threads, fabrics, carpets, and curtains. The industry produces yarns and threads out of natural (wool ...