Milliken History

MILLIKEN HISTORY

Curious minds create inspired solutions

From a humble general store in 1865 to the global manufacturing leader we are today, our team never stops innovating. It all starts with imagining a better world for our children, our communities, and our customers. And then we roll up our sleeves to make things that once seemed impossible a reality. Curiosity sparked the founding of our company and curiosity is the force that drives our quest for positive change.

TRANSFORMING FOR A HEALTHIER TOMORROW

2018-Present

Milliken pivots in 2018 as it welcomes Halsey M. Cook, Jr. as President and CEO, marking a new period of transformation as the team rallies around its purpose: Together we strive to positively impact the world around us for generations to come.

Folkwood Installation
  • 2022
    Ethisphere recognizes Milliken as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 16th consecutive year
  • 2021
    Joins with The Recycling Partnership and The Walmart Foundation to create The Center for Sustainable Behavior and Impact, funded in part by the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation
  • 2021
    Acquires Encapsys, a leader in micro-encapsulation technology
  • 2021
    Launches M/Pact, making all Milliken flooring products around the globe carbon neutral
  • 2021
    R&D 100 recognizes Milliken with its 8th award for one of the top 100 global innovations
  • 2020
    Establishes the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation
  • 2020
    Acquires Borchers, a global specialty chemicals company
  • 2020
    Joins The Recycling Partnership, a polypropylene recycling coalition to help ensure a circular future
  • 2019
    Creates Milliken's Healthcare Business, following the acquisition of Andover Healthcare
  • 2019
    Acquires Polartec, a leading outdoor textile brand
  • 2019
    Signs the UN Global Compact, committing to achieve 2025 Sustainability Goals, and publishing first sustainability report
  • 2018
    Names Halsey M. Cook, Jr. as President and CEO, the first non-associate and non-family member to serve in this role

RAISING THE BAR ON EXCELLENCE

1980-2017

Milliken’s passion to continuously raise the bar through innovative thinking is evident during this period with a strong focus on operational excellence and customer-centricity. The proof is in the results as the company becomes a recognized global manufacturing leader and a trusted partner.

Longstraw Installation
  • 2017
    Inducted into the America’s Safest Companies Hall of Fame Milliken—a validation of longstanding commitment to safety
  • 2014
    Acquires Westex, strengthening capabilities to deliver the most innovative fabrics to the FR industry
  • 2007
    Launches new manufacturing consultancy business, Performance Solutions by Milliken
  • 2007
    Ethisphere recognizes Milliken as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the first time
  • 1989
    Wins the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award followed by the European Quality Award—two distinguishing recognitions of investment in operational excellence
  • 1988
    Invests in the future of its Chemical Business with new manufacturing facility in Blacksburg, SC
  • 1982
    Showcases customer focus with opening of a new Customer Center at Spartanburg, South Carolina headquarters
  • 1981
    Launches Pursuit of Excellence (POE) program, a transformational shift focusing on customer satisfaction at all levels and locations throughout the company

THE COURAGE TO THINK BIG

1947-1979

Under the leadership of Roger Milliken, the company begins a long period of prosperity as Milliken’s team of curious minds envisions future success through research and technology innovation.

Longstraw Installation
  • 1973
    Engineers Millitron®, the first, large-scale digital printer for carpet, revolutionizing the industry
  • 1971
    Deering Milliken becomes Milliken & Company
  • 1968
    Acquires Calloway Mills, entering the carpet business
  • 1965
    Expands into Europe with the acquisition of operations and offices in England, France, and Belgium
  • 1963
    Acquires chemical operations, adding important future capability to product offerings
  • 1958
    Moves headquarters to Spartanburg, South Carolina to a state-of-the art facility that includes a dedicated research center
  • 1947
    Names Roger Milliken as President , succeeding his father and shifting the company from a selling agent to a manufacturer; beginning more than 60 years of leadership under Roger Milliken

INNOVATIONS IN TEXTILES

1920-1947

By the early 20th century, Milliken moved from an investor in textile mills to a manufacturer, bringing breakthrough innovations to the industry, pioneering synthetic fibers, and revolutionizing textile production by rethinking the supply chain and manufacturing processes.

Longstraw Installation
  • 1945
    Invests in innovation, founding the Milliken Research Corporation where one of the company’s most successful first innovations, Agilon, is created and redefines the future of women’s hosiery
  • 1944
    Builds the first textile mill with air cleaning and cooling to manufacture tire cord from nylon, setting a new standard for manufacturing facility design
  • 1939-1945
    Creates demand during World War II for more durable textiles and leads the industry in the development of synthetics for the military
  • 1927
    Obtains first patent for adding wheels and reinforcements to a commercial laundry basket that enables greater operational efficiency, marking a watershed moment as the first of thousands of patents Milliken holds today

SPARKED BY CURIOSITY

1865-1920

It all began as a small endeavor, sparked by a desire to deliver solutions that serve customers with excellence and help communities prosper.

Folkwood Installation
  • 1920
    Names Gerrish Milliken, Sr. as President, succeeding his father, and ushering in the second generation of family leadership of the company
  • 1901
    Develops first recycling policy, establishing the company’s commitment to sustainability-focused manufacturing
  • 1884
    Invests in a new textile manufacturing facility in Pacolet, South Carolina as well as more than 42 mills, helping develop the booming textile industry in the South
  • 1879
    Moves headquarters to its first location in New York City
  • 1865
    Seth M. Milliken, operator of a general store in Minot, Maine, partners with William Deering to open Deering Milliken—a woolen fabric distributor and sales agent for textile mills in Portland, Maine