'State of the Union of the Textile Industry in North Carolina: Improving Global Market Competitiveness with Identification and Assistance of Core Competencies'

Introduction

With the anticipated growth of global production and consumption of textile related products and services, there are opportunities and challenges for the North Carolina textile complex. The purpose of this research study was to conduct an analysis of the of textile complex in North Carolina and identify ways to assist these companies using the wealth of resources North Carolina has to offer. The global textile complex is undergoing a massive restructuring, and this restructuring is impacting the business dynamics of the North Carolina textile complex. With North Carolinas historical dominance in the global textile complex, the studys outcomes can have significant impacts on the North Carolina textile complex, as well as the North Carolina economy.

The North Carolina textile industry (textile complex) consists of all production, marketing and services of textile products, from the fiber to the ultimate consumer, including auxiliary services needed to manufacture, finish, market and distribute the product. Textile products are unique, as there are diverse end-use markets for textiles: apparel, home textiles, industrial/technical, automotive, and medical.

North Carolina has continued to play a significant role in the global textile complex, as well as in the North Carolina economy. As a global leader in textile production and marketing, North Carolina is recognized as the headquarters for major global companies, as well as a leader in products, markets, processes, and services. Historically, North Carolina has consistently led the other 50 United States in textile production (ranked #1 among all 50 U.S. states), and currently ranks as the fourth largest apparel state in the nation in terms of employment (U.S. Department of Labor, 2005; National Council of Textile Organizations, 2006). North Carolina still accounts for more than a fourth of total United States textile employment (U.S. Department of Labor, 2005).

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