Casual Living's tour through Glen Raven's Anderson, S.C., manufacturing plant, in pictures

Glen Raven's modern mill marvel takes sustainability, technology to the next level

Nicole Crews -- Casual Living, 1/26/2012 10:47:44 AM

ANDERSON, S.C. — Glen Raven Custom Fabrics' highly automated, vertically integrated, sustainability-geared, 1-million-sq.-ft. manufacturing center in Anderson, S.C., is not your grandfather's textile mill. Casual Living Publisher Norman Hamilton and Executive Editor Nicole Crews recently got the insider's tour from Glen Raven's Vice President and Business Manager Furniture Fabrics Suzie Roberts, Custom Fabrics Director of Technical Services Alan Rampey and VP Operations Randy Blackston.

Jacquard-weaving at the Anderson, S.C., plant	Suzie Roberts, VP business manager furniture fabrics for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, gives Casual Living Publisher Norman Hamilton and Executive Editor Nicole Crews the grand tour of the modern fabric plant.
As part of the habitat-improvement program at the Anderson, S.C., plant, associates have installed a camera that monitors the nighttime activities of wildlife in the area. Associates are downloading images from a camera in nearby natural areas.	The Sunbrella brand features high-performance outdoor fabrics that are indistinguishable from indoor looks.

The Anderson, S.C., Sunbrella manufacturing center campus

Bales of Sunbrella fiber await the first fluffing process.

Looms loom large at the 1-million-sq.-ft. facility located in the textile town of Anderson, S.C.

Casual Living Publisher Norman Hamilton learns how yarn is spun from Glen Raven Custom Fabrics Director of Technical Services Alan Rampey.

Casual Living Publisher Norman Hamilton gets hands-on with Sunbrella fabric fresh on the loom.

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics Director of Technical Services Alan Rampey schools Casual Living Executive Editor Nicole Crews on automated bobbins.