TenCate Protective Fabrics Celebrates 100 Years of Textile Excellence in Georgia
In a proud moment that blends history, heritage, and innovation, TenCate Protective Fabrics recently celebrated a landmark achievement: 100 continuous years of textile production in Georgia. In an era where much of the textile industry has migrated overseas, TenCate’s enduring local presence stands as a beacon of resilience, adaptability, and American manufacturing strength.
The centennial celebration, held at the Coweta County Fairgrounds, brought together a diverse group of attendees—including current employees, retirees, local officials, business partners, and community members. The festive gathering not only commemorated a century of textile manufacturing in Georgia but also honored the company’s deep European roots, which trace back over 325 years to its origins in The Netherlands.
A Global Heritage Anchored in Local Commitment
TenCate Protective Fabrics is globally recognized today as a premier innovator in the development and production of advanced textile solutions for protective apparel. But its success has always been tightly interwoven with its rich heritage and the strategic decision to invest heavily in U.S.-based manufacturing.
Though the TenCate legacy began centuries ago in The Netherlands, it was the acquisition and transformation of Southern Mills Inc.—a Georgia-based company founded by the Ellis family—that laid the foundation for TenCate’s current North American operations. Since that pivotal moment, the company has grown into one of the most respected names in protective fabrics, operating multiple state-of-the-art facilities across Georgia and maintaining a corporate office in Union City.
“Our centennial celebration is more than just a recognition of the past,” said Maria Gallahue-Worl, CEO of TenCate Protective Fabrics. “It’s a reflection of our enduring commitment to innovation, safety, and community. It also serves as a strong reminder that American textile ingenuity is not only surviving—but thriving.”
Protecting Those Who Protect Us
TenCate Protective Fabrics isn’t just in the business of textiles—it’s in the business of protection. The company develops cutting-edge flame-resistant (FR) fabrics used by a wide range of professionals who face hazardous conditions daily. This includes firefighters, industrial workers, utility linemen, and military personnel.
Their specialized fabrics are engineered to meet and exceed the strictest safety standards across industries. In particular, TenCate’s partnership with defense and first-responder agencies ensures that mission-critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is both reliable and performance-driven. Whether in the heat of a fire or the line of duty, TenCate fabrics serve as an essential shield between workers and danger.
Through ongoing investment in research and development, the company continues to lead the way in FR innovation—developing lighter, more durable, and more comfortable materials that do not compromise safety.
Celebrating a Century with the Community
The centennial event itself was a lively affair that combined historical reflection with forward-looking optimism. Guests were treated to live music, family-friendly games, local cuisine, and a fashion show featuring garments made from TenCate’s high-performance fabrics. One of the most striking elements of the celebration was a curated exhibition tracing the company’s century-long journey in Georgia.
The exhibition provided a deep dive into TenCate’s transformation from a small Southern textile mill into a global leader in performance fabrics, highlighting milestones, challenges overcome, and innovations that helped shape the modern protective textile landscape. Artifacts from Southern Mills Inc., historical photographs, and vintage uniforms made from early flame-resistant fabrics gave attendees a sense of the company’s lasting legacy.
“Our story is a story of perseverance, innovation, and people,” said one company retiree who attended the event. “It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come and to know that the work we did decades ago helped pave the way for a safer, more advanced industry.”
A Model for American Manufacturing
TenCate’s continued success in Georgia defies the trend of offshore manufacturing that has reshaped the global textile landscape. Instead of moving production abroad, TenCate has chosen to invest in its American workforce, in cutting-edge technologies, and in the local communities where it operates.
The company currently runs four manufacturing facilities in Georgia, each employing skilled textile workers and specialists. These facilities are not just production centers—they are innovation hubs, where ideas are turned into life-saving solutions and where decades of expertise are passed from one generation of workers to the next.
This strategy has not only enabled TenCate to maintain strict quality control but has also fostered economic growth in the region. By continuing to manufacture domestically, TenCate contributes to local job creation and workforce development, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the state’s industrial fabric.
While the celebration honored TenCate’s impressive past, the mood was unmistakably focused on the future. With growing global demand for technical and protective textiles, the company is poised for continued expansion. Plans are underway to further scale production, enhance sustainability initiatives, and explore next-generation textile technologies that will drive the future of PPE and performance apparel.
As TenCate Protective Fabrics enters its second century in Georgia, it does so with the momentum of a company that has never lost sight of its mission: protecting people with purpose-driven textile innovation.
“The future is incredibly bright,” said Gallahue-Worl. “We’re proud of our history, but we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. From Georgia to the world, we will continue to deliver fabrics that save lives, push boundaries, and reflect the very best of American manufacturing.”
