BWW 100 Year Logo

Textile solutions for 100 years

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.

1923 // We start where it all began. 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.

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.

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.

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.