Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Clinton Mill The Market By George H. Comelson The celebration of our Nation's Bicentennial this year reminds us that there are less than twenty-five years to go before the end of the 20th century. As we begin to think of the planning that will be necessary iu prepare me united States and the people of all nations for entry into the 21st century, we have yet to recover from the traumatic shock of the energy crisis, which we all became aware of during the oil embargo in 1973. With the many shortages that are related to the shrinking sources of energy, the question arises whether there will be sufficient fiber and fabric available in the years ahead to clothe, house and care for the growing world population. Few can argue with the fact that the more people you have the more textiles you need. The textile industry must be prepared to answer the questional the world population increases at the rate forecasted by the United Nations Population Census, will there be enough fiber and fabric available by the year 2,000?" Based on mirrent nrniwtinns the United Nations forecasts an increase of 2.5 billion more people who will be added over the next 25 years, to the current population of 4 billion, to give the world 6.5 billion consumers by the year 2,000. While some forecasts run as high as 7 billion people, if we assume that the lower estimate of 6.5 billion persons seek fibers and fabrics at the present worldwide rate of approximately 15 pounds per person per year, the total demand for fibers and fabrics in the year 2,000 will be 51 million tons. In 1970 the world Donulatinn rnnsnmpH annrnvi. mately 22 million tons of fibers and fabrics. Should the average per capita consumption continue to rise by 2 per cent annually, total demand would reach 61.5 million tons, by the year 2000. This is almost three times the consumption of 1970, which, without a properly planned expansion of the textile industry, could lead to shortage problems similar to those experienced during the energy and oil crisis in 1973. Consequently, the business of clothing, housing and caring for the world's population in the years to come is both an opportunity and a serious problem for the textile industry. It is apparent that if we allowed tho natural nmK wav Iiuvui HI iiuvl O OVIV.I1 ao WUUI, cotton, silk and flax to be the only source of textile fiber, more people in the world of the future would be running around practically naked than are found in many of the undeveloped countries today. Basically the situation is one where we are committed to chemistry to solve our difficulties in clothing and housing the population of the world. The ability of the chemical industry to provide Is Prepares 1 s Of The 21 j | |M GEORGE CORNELSON synthetic fibers for the clothing and housing of people has proved to be a blessing. It has freed more land for food nrnrlm'tinn introrlimoH now r. ?l.?t VUUVVU HV. TT concepts of durability, and greatly increased the potential for yarn to be either knit or woven into fabrics, or tufted into carpets. While cotton is still the most popular single fiber in use in the United States and throughout the world, what does the rapidly accelerating growth of the synthetic fiber industry mean in planning the future production and merchandising of the fabrics made by Clinton Mills? Since 1965 when cotton represented over 50 per cent of all fibers consumed in the United States, synthetic fiber production has grown so large that cotton now accounts tor only slightly over 30 per cent of total U.S. fiber consumption. As Clinton Mills manufactures superior quality fabrics for many apparel, household and industrial uses, naturally we must use the fibers, natural or synthetic, to produce the fabrics that our customers wish to buy. Roberts: C< D.H. Roberts, Clinton Mills, Inc. Vice President of Manufacturing, believes a company cKnaiM ko Krkt K w R^vrvai 0551 caai v c anu competitive, and he makes certain Clinton Mills stays that way. Roberts, known throughout the industry for his expert textile manufacturing knowledge,' believes in keeping abreast of improvements in textile technology, changes in techniques and processes, as well as customer requirements. Born into a prominent Laurens County textile family, Roberts came to Clinton as Lydia Plant Superintendent in 1953. V { V' h* ro Serve >t Century With the construction of the Bailey Plant in 1967, Clinton Mills entered the manufacture of polyester and combed cotton blend fabrics, and the market for these goods has grown rapidly since that time. In 1975, some of our customers requested that Clinton Mills produce polyester and carded cotton blend fabrics to complement the products of the Bailey Plant. These blends are now being produced at the Clinton No. 1 Plant and the Lydia Plant, and are being received very favorably for many apparel and household product applications. Naturally, Clinton Mills will continue to produce superior quality, all cotton fabrics for apparel, household and industrial uses as long as these products can be produced and sold profitably. However, with the continuing growth of the synthetic fiber industry, it is important that Clinton Mills be sufficiently versatile, to be able to manufacture the construction of all cotton or blend fabrics that can be made and sold competitively. This increased versatility will help to insure continuation of the enviable record of full employment and increasing benefits that Clinton Mills has been able to offer to its employees for many years. Thus as we celebrate our Nation's 200th Anniversary in 1976, we can be proud of the contribution that Clinton Mills has made to the growth of South Carolina and the United States through the production of all cotton goods, and also the blend fabrics such as the Bailey Plant Batiste construction used to make Bennington Flag, each employee has received as a memento of the Bicentennial. In the days to come we can be sure that Clinton Mills' pride in the uauiuon or manuiaciunng superior quality fabrics for 80 years, will better equip each employee with the versatility of manufacturing and marketing skills that will be required to serve the customers of tomorrow. ompany Mus DAVID H. mm?~Wfe':<$&&?m& wvroHi KOBER Robert Fifth Pr Of com Robert M. Vance, has served as Clinton Mills President since 1958. "At Clinton Mills, we are continuously striving to improve our products. This is a necessity if we are going to progress and maintain our reputation in the markets for service, integrity and craftsmanship," noted Vance. Clinton Mills, throughout its history, has operated on a sound business philosophy. "Our superior quality reputa tion has been built by the 1 j_J: ? - - ' ivsjranjr unu ueuicanon 01 me more than 1,800 Clinton employees." Vance, the company's fifth president, is a grandson of M.S. Bailey, the founder of the company. Under his leadership, Clinton has expanded its product lines many times. The company has four t Be Compel ROBERTS ?*;. ;;^jpj-. ;.*' |w i?2#;3lili U\, Z**?c^ '. V-\\li(\\UV,iS^H r VANCE Vance esident ipany modern and progressive Clinton Plants which produce a variety of fabrics for household, industrial and apparel markets. Clinton Mills, during this decade, has acquired Elastic Fabrics of America, located at Fort Washington, Pennsylvania; merged with Superior Knits and constructed a new ultra modern knitting and finishing plant located in Greensboro, N.C., and also acquired Mid America Yarn Mills of Pryor, Oklahoma. "As Clinton Mills celebrates its 80th Anniversary, we must rememoer inai me pasi 80 years are gone - that is, except for the experience and knowledge which we have gained that will be utilized to contribute for even greater progress and efficiency in the years to follow." titive He was named Vice President of Manufacturing in 1968. "Clinton Mills superior quality production is a Hiro<*t result of an entire industrial family's willingness to work together to achieve its goal," stated Roberts. "We place strong emphasis on employees doing their job with craftsmanship pride. In the market place, we stress service, on time deliveries, and integrity in our business affairs." Clinton Mills also provides it manufacturing management personnel with up to date manufacturing data through the use of the latest electronic testing equipment.