E-S-02A: Keeping North Carolina’s Textile Industry Alive

A FABRIC MANUFACTURER HOPES TO EXPAND ON NORTH CAROLINA’S TEXTILE RICH PAST

Their values are: “Quality, innovation and reliability” and since Fairystone Fabrics has been in business for a little more than 50 years, I’d say they’ve executed their values well. Fairystone Fabrics is a textile manufacturer located in Burlington, North Carolina.

Fairystone Fabrics takes pride in taking care of their human workforce. The organization currently has 55 employees that have been with them for over 10 years, that’s a 47% retention rate.

Fairystone Fabrics specializes in tricot warping, knitting and sueding. The company’s machinery operated 24/7 or 24/6, working around the clock to create quality textiles. 0% of Fairystone Fabrics waste ends up in landfills; all of the waste products are reused, recycled or used as fuel for power plants.

On this episode of Clocking In, I speak with Jim Bryan, President of Fairystone Fabrics about how Fairystone got started, what kind of fabrics they make, how they’re able to continuously expand their organization and more.

 

LINKS

• NCMEP
• Fairystone Fabrics

 

ABOUT

Phil Mintz

Phil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state.

Jim Bryan

Jim Bryan has been the President of Fairystone Fabrics since 1996. He has a history of working in textiles, having worked previously at Burlington Industries and Klopman International. Jim has been recently recognized in the Triad Business Journal, Business NC, Burlington Times – News, Alamance News, Greensboro News & Record for business accomplishments and celebration of our 50th year Anniversary for Fairystone Fabrics, Inc. Jim earned a BA in Marketing from Florida Southern College in 1975.

Check out the Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing website.