Milliken Promotes Smith

(September, 2022) Milliken & Co., Spartanburg, SC, recently promoted David Smith to executive vice president and president of Milliken’s Textile Business. Stepping into this new role after more than 40 years with Milliken, Smith will oversee the company’s diverse textile portfolio, according to a news release. He moves into the position formerly held by Chad McAllister, after McAllister announced his move to a new opportunity serving a local nonprofit.

“David is a seasoned veteran of the textile industry, bringing his signature values-based leadership to our largest company business,” said Halsey Cook, president and CEO for Milliken & Co. “We look forward to all he accomplishes in this new role. At the same time, we wish Chad our very best as he embarks upon a new career path.”

Having most recently served as the senior vice president of engineered performance products and nonwovens, Smith’s experience spans accounting, manufacturing, customer service, sales, marketing and strategic-planning competencies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Clemson University and continued his education at leading institutions, including the Advanced Management Program and the Young Executive Institute in Professional Management Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flager Business School. Smith also serves on the board for the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Milliken’s board and senior leadership team for the vote of confidence,” Smith said. “Leading Milliken’s Textile Business is an exciting challenge for me, and I will strive to excel in this role for the benefit of our global textile team.” Currently, Milliken’s Textile Business encompasses seven main business lines and employs more than 4,000 associates worldwide, including 27 manufacturing sites.

In addition, Milliken recently acquired one of the Frontier yarn plants in Mayodan, NC, from Gildan. This plant acquisition expands Milliken’s open-end yarn production for its protective fabrics, workwear, government and defense, industrial and napery textile business units, according to a news release. “Investing in this plant enhances the agility of Milliken’s Textile Business and shores up our supply chain in the U.S. to benefit our customers,” said Halsey Cook, president and CEO. “Guided by integrity and excellence in all we do, this move bolsters our supply chains to enhance customer service.”

The Frontier Spinning Plant No. 3, which will be renamed the Two Rivers Plant as a nod to its dedicated team and the community it serves, will become a spinning hub for Milliken. Multiple Milliken textile plants throughout the Southeast will source their yarn needs from the Two Rivers Plant. “Adding this plant to the Milliken manufacturing footprint helps us meet current production needs and offers additional capacity for future growth,” said Kevin Brown, senior vice president of global operations for Milliken’s Textile Business. “The expansion helps us create a resilient supply chain that offers consistency and surety for both our product lines and customers.”