The American textile industry complex - which includes the textile industry, our suppliers in the cotton, wool, and man-made fiber sectors, the American textile machinery and textile chemical industries, and our customers in the U.S. apparel industry - employs nearly one million workers right here in the United States.

The textile industry, along with our suppliers and our customers, are found in every area of the country, and we are a key component of the U.S. economy.  In fact, in 2005, the textile sector alone contributed some over $23 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.   The U.S. textile industry consumed just over 2 billion pounds of U.S. grown cotton in 2006.

Over the last ten years, the industry has invested more than $30 billion in new plants and equipment, making it one of the most modern and productive textile sectors in the world.

U.S. textile plants are often located in small rural communities in the Southeast and often represent the major source of employment and taxes for many towns and cities.  When a textile mill closes, the entire community feels the ramifications, with local businesses, churches and government being hurt.  The industry is a primary employer of women and minorities.

Textile mill jobs are highly sought after in their communities, and pay more than jobs in the service and retail industry.  Benefits are better too and include health care and pension contributions.  The average weekly salary for a textile worker is $500, sixty-four percent more than the average salary of $323 for a worker in a retail store.

The U.S. textile industry is one of the world's largest exporter of textile products, primarily yarns and fabrics.  Textile and apparel exports (including cut pieces of U.S. fabric) in 2006   totaled over 16 billion dollars.   The industry exports to more than 50 countries, including nineteen with export markets in excess of $100 million.

U.S. textile plants are often located in small rural communities in the Southeast and often represent the major source of employment and taxes for many towns and cities. When a textile mill closes, the entire community feels the ramifications, with local businesses, churches and government being hurt. The industry is also a primary employer of women and minorities.

Textile mill jobs are highly sought after in their communities, with pay substantially higher than average wages for jobs in the service and retail industry. Benefits are better too and include health care and pension contributions. The average weekly salary for a textile worker is $527, sixty percent more than the average salary of $327 for a worker in a retail store.

The combined US textile sector - including cotton and man-made fiber producers, textile mills, apparel plants and textile machinery producers - is one of the largest employers in the United States. Over 600,000 workers are employed in this sector. The breakdown is: textiles 278,000; apparel 183,500; cotton 115,200; man-made fiber 27,200; textile machinery 8,000.

• Up-to-date Plant Closings -A chronological listing of U.S. textile plant closings since 1997 can be found here.
• Latest Job Loss Figures -Monthly job losses in the U.S. textile and apparel industry.

The textile industry is also a critical supplier to the U.S. military.  According to the government's own estimates, over 8,000 different textile items are purchased annually for use by the Armed Forces, and this figure actually rises to over 30,000 line items when individual sizes are factored into the item mix.  We supply the American soldier with everything from uniforms to high tech protective clothing. We supply defense contractors with industrial fabrics that are vital to the operation of key pieces of military equipment.