Major U.S. Fabric Mills Gain Ground But Know Customers Need Imports
November 25, 2025
HIGH POINT, NC–Major U.S. fabric mills Glen Raven, Valdese and STI are gaining new business due to U.S. tariffs on imported fabrics but there isn’t enough capacity to handle all customers’ demands.
Sales are up for these three major U.S. mills, but imports remain a staple of the furniture manufacturer’s purchasing efforts though buyers are hedging their bets by buying from American suppliers due to the import tariffs.
This was the overall theme at the recently concluded Interwoven fabric market here.
“Valdese (Valdese, NC) is now manufacturing its own linen fabrics using imported Belgian flax where we used to buy this product from China through our VIP import division,” says Patrick Shelton, Valdese Vice President, Marketing. “Valdese is offering 15 sku’s of the jacquard woven linen in one pattern at $15 a yard to start with,” he says. “We have had a great reception to the U.S. made product from our retailers and distributors,” he adds. “We will still continue to also service the Chinese made product.”
STI (Burlington, NC) with 350 employees points to 40 per cent sales growth in 2025 according to Anderson Gibbons, Chief Revenue Officer, handling sales, marketing and customer service for the 350 man mill. “Tariffs made it hard for anyone to predict the pricing future,” he points out. “150 percent tariffs on Chinese goods is too high. We need imports in order to supply the demand in the US,” he feels.
STI, still owned by the Gibbons Family since 1880, is picking up new business from customers as they slightly move away from imported fabrics,” he says. The company is making a huge push in hospitality sales with private labels for the jobber and through retailers Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and Room & Board. STI also sells products to consumers at higher prices than to the trade through its website.
STI prices for its Revolution line are in the $2.75-$12.95 range with a strong polypropylene/polyester performance story at $5.95. STI is also completely vertical and makes all of its own yards.
“We offer eight week, reliable delivery,” he adds. “You can’t get that with imports. About 18 months ago, we started to inventory 200 sku’s of our product for the domestic furniture manufacturer. We can ship 1,000 yards up to 20,000 yards.”
“STI has expanded to three shifts with a $5 million expansion in the finishing department now completed and a $2 million expansion with jacquard looms,” Gibbons says. STI is running 130 dobby looms currently. STI says its market share for the outdoor fabric segment is now 30 percent, up from 21 percent in the last five years.
Glen Raven, (Glen Raven, NC) also a family owned mill, has six plants in the USA alone: one in Lille and a second one in Hordain, France and a ninth factory in Suzhou, China according to Suzie Roberts, Vice President, Marketing.
“Our big push now is towards the home interior with soft textures that stand up to everyday life; Sunbrella Interior® is our brand with all of the features of Sunbrella®.
“At Interwoven Glen Raven teamed up with Sien & Company’s Alex Gibson with a collection of Handmade looking fabrics which look natural and offer high performance,” Roberts says.
The new collection offers 45 sku’s with eight different patterns.
Sales are up for these three major U.S. mills, but imports remain a staple of the furniture manufacturer’s purchasing efforts though buyers are hedging their bets by buying from American suppliers due to the import tariffs.
This was the overall theme at the recently concluded Interwoven fabric market here.
Valdese’s Patrick Shelton with David Davidson, McCreary Modern Furniture (Newton, NC) sales & marketing manager
“Valdese (Valdese, NC) is now manufacturing its own linen fabrics using imported Belgian flax where we used to buy this product from China through our VIP import division,” says Patrick Shelton, Valdese Vice President, Marketing. “Valdese is offering 15 sku’s of the jacquard woven linen in one pattern at $15 a yard to start with,” he says. “We have had a great reception to the U.S. made product from our retailers and distributors,” he adds. “We will still continue to also service the Chinese made product.”
STI (Burlington, NC) with 350 employees points to 40 per cent sales growth in 2025 according to Anderson Gibbons, Chief Revenue Officer, handling sales, marketing and customer service for the 350 man mill. “Tariffs made it hard for anyone to predict the pricing future,” he points out. “150 percent tariffs on Chinese goods is too high. We need imports in order to supply the demand in the US,” he feels.
STI, still owned by the Gibbons Family since 1880, is picking up new business from customers as they slightly move away from imported fabrics,” he says. The company is making a huge push in hospitality sales with private labels for the jobber and through retailers Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and Room & Board. STI also sells products to consumers at higher prices than to the trade through its website.
STI’s Anderson Gibbons with Michael Lucas, Director of Marketing with latest performance chenilles collection
“We offer eight week, reliable delivery,” he adds. “You can’t get that with imports. About 18 months ago, we started to inventory 200 sku’s of our product for the domestic furniture manufacturer. We can ship 1,000 yards up to 20,000 yards.”
“STI has expanded to three shifts with a $5 million expansion in the finishing department now completed and a $2 million expansion with jacquard looms,” Gibbons says. STI is running 130 dobby looms currently. STI says its market share for the outdoor fabric segment is now 30 percent, up from 21 percent in the last five years.
Glen Raven, (Glen Raven, NC) also a family owned mill, has six plants in the USA alone: one in Lille and a second one in Hordain, France and a ninth factory in Suzhou, China according to Suzie Roberts, Vice President, Marketing.
“Our big push now is towards the home interior with soft textures that stand up to everyday life; Sunbrella Interior® is our brand with all of the features of Sunbrella®.
Suzie Roberts at Glen Raven
The new collection offers 45 sku’s with eight different patterns.
