Editor’s note: During the National Council of Textile Organization’s 14th Annual Meeting next week, William “Bill” V. McCrary Jr., president and CEO of William Barnet and Son LLC of Spartanburg, S.C., is in line to be elected as the next chairman of the group. He answered a few questions submitted by eTC’s Devin Steele.

 

eTC: Bill, you’re following in the footsteps of fellow South Carolinian Rob Chapman as NCTO chairman. Please speak to Rob’s leadership and his efforts on behalf of the NCTO and the industry.

 

McCrary: I have had the pleasure of knowing Rob for decades and personally can attest that he brings a great deal of passion and commitment to whatever projects he takes on. Rob certainly did that as a very focused and hands-on chairman of NCTO, and that’s exactly what the U.S. textile industry needed in 2016 with weighty policy issues such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) coming to a resolution.

 

Rob also oversaw the second year of the NCTO-led “American Textiles: We Make Amazing” public relations campaign. He would tell you, and I share this view, that it is vital that American textile manufacturers paint an accurate and vibrant picture of our great industry for policy makers. Rob did a fantastic job and NCTO members owe him a debt of gratitude for his service during the past year.

  

eTC: You’ve served in numerous leadership positions and on many boards over the years. At this point in your career and at this juncture of the industry’s history, why is it important to you to lead the industry’s national trade association?

 

McCrary: Certainly, there are many highly qualified executives in the industry that could serve in this role, so it would be an honor to be elected to the chairmanship of NCTO by my peers. As a 47-year veteran of the textile sector, it is important for me to give back to an industry that I love so much.

 

There are obvious challenges that face U.S. manufacturers, but I am committed to finding solutions to overcome them. And I am certainly committed to the overall betterment of the domestic textile industry, our workers and the communities that are so closely tied to our production facilities. 

 

eTC: As the incoming 2017 chairman, what are your primary internal organizational goals for NCTO?

 

McCrary: To be successful, I strongly believe every organization must heed three fundamental principles, which I define as membership, membership satisfaction and fiscal responsibility.

 

First, membership retention and new member recruitment are the lifeblood of an organization. Without members, an organization cannot wield power. It is also just as true that the more members an organization has, the more clout it can exert, especially in Washington.

 

Second, organizations cannot work well unless its members are satisfied. That means an organization both must be attentive and responsive to its members individually and must execute any agenda set by them collectively to the best of the organization’s ability and resources. 

 

Third, an organization must be fiscally responsible. There’s an old saying that you can’t save the world if you can’t pay the rent. Prudently managing the resources of today will help ensure that an organization has resources for tomorrow too.

 

eTC: As a follow up, what are your primary external organizational goals for NCTO, especially as the Trump administration works to enact and implement its policy priorities?

 

McCrary: From a policy standpoint, this is an exciting time to serve as chairman. The Trump administration has made U.S. manufacturing a priority. Just as in the marketplace, it is critical that our industry be well positioned to take advantage of any opportunities to shape business friendly policies under the new administration.

 

At a macro level, implementing an improved tax and regulatory structure and a more reasonable trade policy are two things a Trump administration could do to help NCTO members put more Americans to work. That’s why NCTO wants to make sure that the needs of the U.S. textile industry are front and center with Congress and the Executive Branch as they revise policies in these areas.

 

eTC: Barnet is one of many U.S. textile companies that have been able to adapt, innovate and thrive in a rapidly changing, intensely competitive global market.  How do you help NCTO tell this dynamic story as part of U.S. textile industry’s “American Textiles: We Make Amazing” rebranding campaign?

McCrary: Barnet is at its core a recycling and innovation company. Consequently, we have connection points to many key factors that make our industry a vital player in the modern American economy. We are furthering environmental sustainability by taking product destined for the landfill and giving it a second life.

 

In addition, we are producing fibers that have numerous technical and industrial end-uses. Both traits are important aspects of what the “We Make Amazing” campaign is touting. American textiles are a modern, efficient industry making a significant contribution to a better society, while simultaneously manufacturing quality products for a wide array of applications that were not even envisioned just 10 years ago.

 

eTC: William Barnet and Son LLC can trace its roots to 1898. As such, it has weathered times both good and bad. As the caretaker of your company’s proud name, what have you learned about handling the vicissitudes of business and global trade and how will that perspective benefit NCTO as you chair the organization during the next 12 months?

 

McCrary: Stay ahead of the curve in terms of adapting to ever-changing industry circumstances. Be prepared to take advantage of opportunity when it presents itself.   And never lose sight of the fact that our workers are the most valuable assets the U.S. textile industry has in its arsenal.

 

As chairman of NCTO, I want to push the organization to anticipate American textile policy needs prior to the crisis, to position it strategically to capitalize on the opportunities that may be available and to never lose sight of the fact that NCTO is fighting for the hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers that are so valuable to our respective companies.

NCTO’s 14th Annual Meeting

Incoming Chair McCrary ready

to continue work for industry