Burlington Industries
Burlington Industries was one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1923 by Spencer Love, Burlington grew to become a powerhouse in the global textile industry, producing a wide range of fabrics including woven and knitted fabrics for apparel, home furnishings, and industrial uses. At its peak, Burlington Industries operated more than 90 manufacturing plants and employed over 60,000 workers across the United States and internationally.
The company was particularly renowned for its production of worsted wool fabrics, synthetic fabrics, denim, and upholstery materials. Burlington Industries supplied major apparel brands and retail chains throughout its history. After facing financial challenges in the early 2000s, Burlington Industries filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and was subsequently acquired by International Textile Group (ITG), which continued operations under various brand names. Burlington’s legacy remains influential in the U.S. textile sector, having pioneered many innovations in fabric manufacturing and industrial weaving technologies.