A good yarn.
The True Textiles story started over 150 years ago with the opening of several independent water-wheel mills along the East Coast of the United States. These mills were the earliest production plants of four companies that would each build its own international reputation for textile quality and innovation.
Guilford of Maine originally made apparel fabrics and draperies. During the 1970s, the mill completely changed over its production to make fabrics for the newly invented “panel systems” that were sweeping the office furniture market. Guilford of Maine pioneered FR701®, the industry’s standard panel fabric to this day.
In North Carolina, Chatham was making a name for itself producing woolen blankets and other wool goods. The company was also among the early leaders in manufacturing automotive upholstery, and over the years it diversified to make everything from draperies and pillows to upholstery fabric and various yarns.
Also in North Carolina, a company named Toltec began in 1987, dedicated solely to producing fabrics for cubicle curtains, office panel systems and chairs. The company quickly became a contract furniture industry leader in value, quality and service.
Established in 1987 in Aberdeen North Carolina, Intek was a vertically integrated mill dedicated to piece dye fabrics for the contract panel and seating market.
Stevens Linen was one of the first Massachusetts textile mills known in the mid-1800s. The company was renowned for its fine linens before branching into residential upholstery and draperies.
Between 1990 and 2001, these five mills were purchased by Interface, Inc. and spun off into a separate subsidiary that became known as InterfaceFABRIC. The company refocused its operations to exclusively serve commercial markets. In the process, it became the largest manufacturer of interior fabrics for the office furniture industry, as well as a leading provider of specialized textile solutions to the automotive, healthcare, and hospitality industries.
InterfaceFABRIC embraced the sustainability mission of its parent company, committing to eliminate any negative impact it may have on the environment. The company’s breakthrough Terratex® fabrics along with bold environmental initiatives such as the ReSKU® fabric reclamation program continue to play vital roles in accomplishing this mission.
In 2007, InterfaceFABRIC was purchased by a private investment firm and renamed True Textiles, Inc in 2008. True offers the same products and services, employs the same people, and is committed to the same sustainability goals as its predecessor. The biggest difference is that now, as a completely independent company, True enjoys greater freedom to be an even more creative and innovative. Now, the only people we have to answer to are our customers.
True Textiles is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with additional facilities in Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Canada and China.