“The consumer today views polyester a lot differently than they did 30 years ago,” Warlick said. Parkdale was not alone in its move to develop blended yarns, and also recognized that polyester yarns and blends are here to stay even as the price of cotton has dropped. This price hike, coupled with competition from ever-improving man-made fibers including polyester, led many spinning companies to change their product mix. However, the price of cotton peaked at historically high levels in 2011. This expansion allowed Parkdale to grow, and to leverage its existing cotton supply chain without creating conflicts with its customers. Cotton, a manufacturer of cotton health and beauty aid products. Diversification Versus Verticalization: U.S. cotton, which it uses in its yarns and health and beauty aid products.

It just reemphasizes the fact that we need to automate and consolidate.” Parkdale is recognized as the largest consumer of U.S. “To put in a greenfield operation in this country is almost impossible because you cannot find qualified, trained help. “That’s why Parkdale uses so much robotic automation today,” he said.

According to Warlick, Volvo - a company with name prestige and offering good wages - has a difficult time attracting qualified technical help for a new plant in Charleston, S.C. “We have funded research, we buy prototypes, and have an open door for any type of new automation.”Īutomation also helps address the increasingly difficult time the industry has in finding qualified, trained employees who are willing to work in manufacturing. “We are committed to robotics in a way that no other U.S. One of the biggest reasons Warlick sees for Parkdale’s continued success is the company’s willingness to adopt automation technologies. “We have common interests in developing new products.” “Rieter concentrates in evaluating new market trends, and Parkdale acts as a very important partner,” said Kuettel. “Parkdale adapts steadily to changing market trends and requirements to remain one of the market leaders. “The company actively seeks technology, and is an early adopter of technologies when it makes sense to Parkdale and its customers,” said Thomas Kuettel, president and CEO, Rieter America. The company worked with a supplier to redesign the shape and increase the size of the standard sliver can to increase efficiency by reducing the number of can changes.Īccording to Rieter America LLC - a Spartanburg, S.C.-based supplier of systems for short-staple fiber spinning - Parkdale has been a very open minded customer, and one that is always open to new products and innovations. One example of the company’s forward way of thinking is the redesigned sliver can Parkdale uses. The company is known for seeking technology and driving innovations in yarn spinning. Parkdale is committed to technology and adopting innovative solutions to stay competitive. Innovation & Automation, Automation, Automation Over the years, Parkdale has embraced automation technologies in all of its operations. Today, the privately-held company operates 25 plants, in addition to research and development and distribution centers in the United States, Mexico and South America.Ĭotton will always play a significant role at Parkdale, but there is a lot more to the Parkdale story than just cotton.

Fifty years after the charter, the company opened a second plant, Parkdale Mills Plant #2 in Gastonia, which doubled the company’s production capacity. The first year, Parkdale produced 425 tons of thread in one manufacturing location. If this data is unavailable or inaccurate and you own or represent this business, click here for more information on how you may be able to correct it.Parkdale was chartered 1916, and began turning the first spindles in 1918. VIEW ADDITIONAL DATA Select from over 115 networks below to view available data about this business.

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