Glen Raven Company, whose headquarters are in Glen Raven, North Carolina, is a top global marketer and manufacturer of environmentally durable fabrics. They are led by their flagship brands of Sunbrella and Dickson. Glen Raven provides products to the protective, automotive, geosynthetic, military, and mining markets.

History

Glen Raven has grown from a small, local cotton mill into a global leader in fabrics. The company was founded in 1880 by John Q. Gant (ca. 1847-1930). Today, Glen Raven is still owned by Grant’s descendents. Gant entered the retail dry goods business in 1872 when he worked in Company Shops, NC. He first began working in 1867 for the first colored cotton goods company in the E. M. Holt & Sons Mill. By 1900, Grant had over twenty years of cotton mill experience, first with Edwin M. Holt, and then with his sons, Lawrence and Banks Holt, who he has been partners with since 1884.

Gant bought land west of Burlington, North Carolina and planned to build a new mill near the railroad. The new mill was named variously at first; it was known interchangeably by “John Q. Gant Manufacturing Co.”, “New Mill”, and “Gant’s Mill”. In 1902, Gant sketched a raven with a banner clutched in his right foot reading, “John Q. Gant Manufacturing Co., cotton fabrics” and the other banner in his left claw reading, “Glen Raven Cotton Mills”. The company Glen Raven took off from there.

Gant took what he learned from E. M. Holt & Sons and applied it to Glen Raven, making his company also one of the first mills in the South to dye fabrics. Glen Raven was then also one of the first companies to adopt synthetic fibers and build knitting operations, leading to the invention of the panty hose. It was because of their ability to lead position market segments that led to the success of the company.

During World War II, Glen Raven manufactured parachute fabrics because of their expertise in rayon, a textile fiber made from regenerated cellulose. This allowed them to specialize in parachute fabrics for air drops of heavy equipment, which is the same focus that continues to be used today. After this development, Glen Raven also began to use a weaving operation which focused on nylon and polyester and was used a large variety of products. This is another operation that is still used today.

In the 1960s, Glen Raven introduced its Sunbrella brand of fabrics, allowing them to continue to build on the company’s knowledge of technical fabrics. At the time, Sunbrella made its own awning product; Today, Sunbrella is the premiere performance fabric for furniture, convertible tops, marine applications, and awnings.

In 1998, Dickson, 5A of France was added to expand Glen Raven’s global presence. By 2000, Dickson, 5A had applied a global performance fabrics strategy. Then in 2006, Glen Raven created a 190,000 square foot business center in China to support their activities throughout Asia and the Pacific Rim.

Then in May 2007, Glen Raven joined forces with two of the nation’s largest distributors of fabric, hardware and fishing supplies, marine and causal furniture industries. These forces are The Astrup Company and John Boyle & Company. The new company known as Tri Vantage merges Glen Raven, Astrup, and Boyle. Together, they are able to serve their global markets more efficiently and at a higher level.

Today, Glen Raven participates in the development, manufacture, and marketing of fabrics in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The company has many product applications including automotive headliners, protective work apparel, military, outdoor, sailcloth, flags, and banners, and many other products. Glen Raven has locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, African, Australia, and Uruguay.

Because of this century of hard work and dedication, Glen Raven has grown from a small cotton mill into a global textile company. This major success is due to the company’s missions and values. Glen Raven’s mission is, “enhancing life for global consumers with the world’s most innovative fabric-based, market-driven solutions”. Their goal is to be engaged associates and create a fulfilling experience through enthusiasm, focus, innovation, team work and creativity. It is through these goals and values that Glen Raven will continue to grow as a company.

Glen Raven Endowment for Undergraduate Research in the Sciences

Glen Raven plays a very special role in the Elon University Community. Allen E. Gant Jr. who is president of Glen Raven, Inc. is also a member of the Elon University Board of Trustees. Gant created a gift known as The Glen Raven Endowment for Undergraduate Research in the Sciences. “A maximum of six scholarships and grants of approximately $1,500 each are awarded to students majoring in a department within the mathematics and natural sciences division of Elon College who are or will be engaged in independent, faculty-mentored undergraduate research. The recipients are known as Glen Raven Scholars”.

These grants are used to improve quality mentoring relationships between students and faculty. Research which is led by Glen Raven Scholars and faculty mentors has to contribute to the knowledge base in meaningful ways. The recipients of the grants are usually those who exploring the progress of textiles, fabrics, or garments.

There are certain requirements needed for those applying for the Glen Raven Endowment for Undergraduate Research in the Sciences. They must have a 3.2 GPA, be majoring in and working with a mentor from a department in the mathematics and natural sciences division of Elon University, register for one credit hour of 499/498 course credit in two semesters. They are also required to present their work at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum before graduation and to representatives from Glen Raven, Inc. Students and mentors may be asked to participate in panel discussions and activities related to the program, and presentations must be submitted to the Dean of Elon University’s office and the Undergraduate Research Program office when completed.

Glen Raven started as a small cotton mill and grew into a global textile company due to their hard work, dedication, goals and values. In creating The Glen Raven Endowment for Undergraduate Research in the Sciences grant, Glen Raven Inc. is standing as a model for Elon University students. They are setting high standards for students to look up to and gain success from.

photo credit to Katie Kowalski