Newspapers / The Fieldcrest Mill Whistle … / March 3, 1975, edition 1 / Page 4
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Know Your Company Fieldale Towel Mill The P'ieldale Towel Mill is one of the largest towel operations in the nation. Ranging from medium to high-priced towels, a complete line is available in Jacquard, dobby and cam terry towels. Included in the products are fancy, plain and reversible as well as beach towels, finger tip towels, bath mats and wash cloths. These towels feature pucker-proof borders, and are finished either bleached or in piece or yarn dyed colors. TIf jgf , ^ i " t The hheldale mill carries through the entire manufactur ing process, including bleaching, dyeing, finishing and shipping. Its continuous process dyeing and bleaching equipment is among the most modern in the industry. The warehousing facilities were greatly expanded and an extensive modernization and expansion program covering processes in yarn manufacturing and weaving was comph'ted in recent years. The mill had its inception in 19K) when Marshall Field and Company, having established sources for blankets, sheeting and ginghams, felt it desirable to also have a source for towels to meet the demand from its customers. THE FIELDALE TOWEL MILL at Fieldale, Va. As land suitable for a mill site was not available in the vicinity of Spray or Draper (now Eden), a desirable location was found in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains four miles north of Martinsville, Va., at the junction of the Norfolk & Western and the Danville & Western Railways, and the Smith River. In 1916, after inspection of the site by officials of Marshall Field and Company from Chicago approval of the purchase was given for 25 tracts of land totaling l,84l acres all within one boundary. Clearing of the land and build ing operations began in 1917 and with the erection of 87 houses the town was named “Fieldale”. The first unit of manufacturing consisted of 215,066 square feet with 30,000 square feet of ware housing space. Awaiting the completion of the mill and installation of equip ment, 12 towel looms were set up at Draper and in 1918 the first production of samples and “Pullman” towels was begun. In 1919 those looms were moved to h'ieldale and together with the new equipment, operation was started with 19,200 spindles and 500 looms. There were 333 em ployees. The present-day Fieldale Towel Mill has 680,831 square feet of manufacturing space and 215,270 square feet for ware housing. There are 51,528 spin ning spindles and 853 looms. The mill normally employs approxi mately 1,500 people. During its 56-year existence, there have been numerous build ing additions as the mill was expanded to meet the needs for increased production. The mill has continued to install new equipment in order to stay modern and up-to-date. This has been done through a loom replacement program, complete revamping of the yarn manu facturing facilities and continu ing improvement in the bleach ing, finishing and warehousing operations. Under way at present is a $3- million modernization program which began in 1973 and is scheduled for completion in mid- 1975. Ma jor projects include the purchase of additional new looms and modern loom clean ing equipment, modernization of the Weave Room air condi tioning with refrigeration and the installation of high-speed more efficient drawing machinery. In 1974, the company joined with the Henry County Public Service Authority for the build ing of a regional waste water treatment plant, which will serve the Fieldale Towel Mill. Fieldcrest’s share of the pro ject’s cost will amount to $1,100,000 over a three-year period. The company, in lieu of upgrading its own waste water treatment plant, is cooperating with the public service authority in helping defray the cost of the regional facility. EUGENE PETERS — Weaver, Weave Room BOBBIE DEAL - Hemmer-Towels, Sewing Department. DOVIE SHELTON - Unloader, Packing Departmen THE MILL
The Fieldcrest Mill Whistle (Spray, N.C.)
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March 3, 1975, edition 1
4
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