User:Knh1314/GlenRavenInc

Glen Raven, Inc. is a privately held company specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of performance fabrics, including the Sunbrella® brand of awning, marine and furniture fabrics. Founded in 1880 by John Q. Gant, the company has been continuously owned by the Gant family and is headed today by President and CEO Allen E. Gant, Jr., grandson of the founder.

Glen Raven has been a leader in the textiles industry throughout its history. During the 1880s, Glen Raven was one of the first mills in the South to dye fabrics, which up until that time had been done predominately in the North. During the 1930s, Glen Raven was one of the first companies to adopt synthetic fibers and build knitting operations, which led to its growth in women’s hosiery, including the invention of panty hose in 1959.

Glen Raven produced parachute fabrics throughout World War II, a product focus that continues today with fabrics for air drops of heavy military equipment. Following the war years, Glen Raven opened a weaving operation in Burnsville, N.C. in 1948 focusing on nylon and polyester used in a wide array of products, from luggage and sails to flags and banners. The first flag implanted on the moon in 1969 was made with Glen Raven fabric.

Glen Raven introduced its Sunbrella brand of performance fabrics in the 1960s. Sunbrella fabrics today are a leader for awnings, furniture, marine applications and convertible car tops. In 1998, Glen Raven acquired Dickson, SA of France, a manufacturer of awning and other high performance fabrics. During 2006 Glen Raven completed a 190,000-square-foot business center in China in support of its activities throughout Asia and the Pacific Rim.

In addition to Sunbrella and Dickson branded fabrics, Glen Raven markets performance fabrics for the military, automotive, performance work apparel, printable media fabrics and structural applications. The company also operates a national distribution company, Tri Vantage.

Founded Alamance County, U.S. (1880)

Founder John Q. Gant

Headquarters Glen Raven, North Carolina, U.S.

Areas served Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America

Owner(s) The Gant Family

Employees 2,500

Subsidiaries

Dickson-Constant, Dickson Coatings, Glen Raven Asia, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Glen Raven Logistics, Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLC, R. J. Stern, Strata Systems Inc., Tri Vantage