Glen Raven, Inc., which markets a diverse portfolio of textile products worldwide, including Sunbrella® brand performance fabrics, has been selected by Textile World magazine as the winner of its 2005 Innovation Award, as Glen Raven launches the celebration of its 125th anniversary.
"We could not ask for a better way to begin our 125th anniversary celebration than receiving this award from Textile World magazine," said Allen E. Gant Jr., president and CEO of Glen Raven, Inc., which is headquartered in Glen Raven, N.C. "The primary reason we have been successful for 125 years is the fact that our company has been and continues to be highly innovative."
The Textile World award also comes on the heels of Glen Raven's recent launch of a new internal program that is challenging Glen Raven's employees to offer innovative ideas for new products or other company improvements.
"Innovation is our watchword today as the textile industry continues to go through fundamental changes," Gant said. "The companies that will continue to grow and prosper in all industry segments will be those who can make innovation their core strength."
The Textile World Innovation Award is presented annually by the magazine in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the textile industry. The June issue of Textile World will feature the full Glen Raven story.
"Many talk about innovation, but few companies can respond to the changes innovation demands. Glen Raven is one of those few," said Textile World Editor-In-Chief James M. Borneman. "The company celebrates 125 years in business this year and a family legacy that spans four generations back to John Q. Gant and the 1880 partnership that began as Altamahaw Mills."
In selecting Glen Raven for its annual award, Textile World magazine noted Glen Raven's long track record of innovation. These innovations have included the invention of pantyhose in 1959, the launch of Glen Raven's well-known Sunbrella brand performance fabrics in 1960, the first flag on the moon made of Glen Raven flag fabrics in 1969, the company's acquisition of Dickson S.A. of France in 1998, which greatly expanded Glen Raven's global presence, and, most recently, the announcement of a new plant under construction in China.
Glen Raven operates with two subsidiaries - Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, which markets the industry-leading Sunbrella brand of performance fabrics for awnings, furniture, marine and convertible car tops, and Glen Raven Technical Fabrics, which markets performance fabrics for automotive, protective apparel, military and marine applications.
Textile World magazine will present its Innovation Award to Glen Raven's management team and Board of Directors during a special event on June 23, which marks the beginning of a six-month 125th anniversary celebration.
"Our anniversary celebration will recognize the three groups who are essential to our continuing success for another 125 years - shareholders, employees and customers," Gant said. "As we celebrate this milestone event, we certainly view our past with great pride, but our focus is clearly on the future.
