- 2021
- Ethisphere recognizes Milliken as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 15th consecutive year
- 2021
- Partners with The Recycling Partnership and The Walmart Foundation to create the Center for Behavioral change, funded in part by the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation
- 2021
- Acquires Encapsys, a leader in micro-encapsulation technology
- 2021
- Launches M/Pact, making all Milliken flooring products around the globe carbon neutral
- 2021
- R&D 100 recognizes Milliken with its 8th award for one of the top 100 global innovations
- 2020
- Founds the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation
- 2020
- Acquires Borchers, a global specialty chemicals company
- 2020
- Joins The Recycling Partnership, a polypropylene recycling coalition to help ensure a circular future
- 2019
- Creates the Healthcare operating division, following the acquisition of Andover Healthcare
- 2019
- Acquires Polartec, a leading outdoor textile brand
- 2019
- Signs the UN Global Pact, commiting to achieve 2025 sustainability goals and publishing 1st corporate sustainability report
- 2018
- Names Halsey M. Cook, Jr. as President and CEO, the first non-associate and non-family member to serve in this role
Milliken History
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MILLIKEN HISTORY
Curious minds create inspired solutions
From humble beginnings in 1865 as a general store to a global manufacturing leader today, we’ve never stopped evolving and innovating. We imagine a better world for our children, our communities, and our customers. And then we roll up our sleeves, work hard, and find ways to make things that may have once seemed impossible become possible. Curiosity sparked this company and continues to be the force that drives our quest for positive change.
TRANSFORMING FOR A HEALTHIER TOMORROW
2018-Present
Milliken pivots in 2018 as it welcomes Halsey M. Cook, Jr. as President and CEO, marking a new period of transformation as the team rallies around its purpose: Together we strive to positively impact the world around us for generations to come.
RAISING THE BAR ON EXCELLENCE
1980-2017
Milliken’s passion to continuously raise the bar through innovative thinking is evident during this period with a strong focus on operational excellence and customer-centricity. The proof is in the results as the company becomes a recognized global manufacturing leader and a trusted partner.
- 2017
- Inducted into the America’s Safest Companies Hall of Fame Milliken—a validation of longstanding commitment to safety
- 2014
- Acquires Westex, strengthening capabilities to deliver the most innovative fabrics to the FR industry
- 2007
- Launches new manufacturing consultancy business, Performance Solutions by Milliken
- 2007
- Ethisphere recognizes Milliken as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the first time
- 1989
- Wins the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award followed by the European Quality Award—two distinguishing recognitions of investment in operational excellence
- 1988
- Invests in the future of its chemical business with new manufacturing facility in Blacksburg, South Carolina
- 1982
- Showcases customer focus with opening of a new Customer Center at Spartanburg, South Carolina headquarters
- 1981
- Launches Pursuit of Excellence (POE) program, a transformational shift focusing on customer satisfaction at all levels and locations throughout the company
THE COURAGE TO THINK BIG
1947-1979
Under the leadership of Roger Milliken, the company begins a long period of prosperity as Milliken’s team of curious minds envisions future success through research and technology innovation.
- 1973
- Engineers Millitron®, the first, large-scale digital printer for carpet revolutionizing the industry
- 1971
- Deering Milliken becomes Milliken & Company
- 1968
- Acquires Calloway Mills, entering the carpet business
- 1965
- Expands into Europe with the acquisition of operations and offices in England, France, and Belgium
- 1963
- Acquires chemical operations, adding important future capability to product offerings
- 1958
- Moves headquarters to Spartanburg, South Carolina to a state-of-the art facility that includes a dedicated research center
- 1947
- Names Roger Milliken as President , succeeding his father and shifting the company from a selling agent to a manufacturer; beginning more than 60 years of leadership under Roger Milliken
INNOVATIONS IN TEXTILES
1920-1947
By the early 20th century, Milliken moved from an investor in textile mills to a manufacturer, bringing breakthrough innovations to the industry, pioneering synthetic fibers and revolutionizing textile production by rethinking the supply chain and manufacturing processes.
- 1945
- Invests in innovation, founding the Milliken Research Corporation where one of the company’s most successful first innovations, Agilon, is created and redefines the future of women’s hosiery
- 1944
- Builds the first textile mill with air cleaning and cooling to manufacture tire cord from nylon setting a new standard for manufacturing facility design
- 1939-1945
- Creates demand during World War II for more durable textiles and leads the industry in the development of synthetics for the military
- 1927
- Obtains first patent for adding wheels and reinforcements to a commercial laundry basket that enables greater operational efficiency, marking a watershed moment as the first of thousands of patents Milliken holds today
SPARKED BY CURIOSITY
1865-1920
It all began as a small endeavor, sparked by a desire to deliver solutions that serve customers with excellence and help communities prosper.
- 1920
- Names Gerrish Milliken, Sr. as President, succeeding his father, and ushering in the second generation of family leadership of the company
- 1901
- Develops first recycling policy, establishing the company’s commitment to sustainability-focused manufacturing
- 1884
- Invests in a new textile manufacturing facility in Pacolet, South Carolina as well as more than 42 mills, helping develop the booming textile industry in the South
- 1868
- Moves headquarters to its first location in New York City
- 1865
- Seth M. Milliken, operator of a general store in Minot, Maine, partners with William Deering to open Deering Milliken—a woolen fabric distributor and sales agent for textile mills in Portland, Maine