Posted May 6, 2014

 

GREENSBORO, N.C, – Joe Gorga, president and CEO of International Textile Group (ITG) since the company’s formation in 2004, announced he is retiring, effective May 31, the company reported on May 1.

 

The company’s board of directors appointed Kenneth T. Kunberger as the company’s new president and CEO, effective May 1. Kunberger has served as ITG’s chief operating officer since December 2011 and also has been with the company since its formation, which combined Burlington Industries and Cone Mills.

 

Gorga will assist Kunberger in a transitional capacity through May 31 and will also retire from the board on June 30.

 

Gorga’s career in the industry, spanning more than 40 years, included service with Milliken and Company in a variety of executive roles and service as chairman and CEO of CMI Industries prior to joining Burlington Industries in 2002. He was named president and CEO of Burlington upon its acquisition by WL Ross & Co. in 2003.

 

Gorga was named president and CEO and a member of the board upon ITG’s formation in 2004. Throughout his career, he has been a proponent and strong supporter of the textile industry, having previously served as a director and vice chairman of the American Textile Manufacturing Institute (ATMI) and chairman of the National Textile Association (NTA).

 

“Joe was instrumental to the company in its formation, integration activities, international development and transition to its role today as a preeminent supplier of technology and innovation in the industry supply chain,” said Wilbur L. Ross, chairman of ITG’s board of directors. “With his leadership during these past 10 years, ITG is now positioned for continued growth in many key areas. I appreciate Joe’s contributions, leadership and his development of a strong management team poised for the opportunities we have going forward.

 

Kunberger joined Burlington Industries in 1998, having previous experience with Liz Claiborne in New York, where he held a number of management positions in sales and marketing, merchandising and operations, and with VF Corporation, where he held various executive positions for VF Licensed Jeanswear and Marithé et Francois Girbaud, a fashion jeans company. At Burlington, Kunberger served in various executive capacities in its sportswear, denim and apparel businesses.

 

Upon the formation of ITG, Kunberger served in a number of executive positions with increasing levels of responsibility. From his position as president of Burlington WorldWide, he was subsequently named president of ITG’s Apparel and Specialty Fabrics Group, where he assumed responsibility for the Cone Denim business and its operations in the U.S., Mexico and China

 

In addition to his duties to ITG, Kunberger also serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the North Carolina State University School of Textiles.

 

“Ken has made many contributions to the company in his previous roles, and we believe he is the right person to lead ITG as it moves to expand its brand, product and customer bases,” Gorga said. “Ken’s past experiences and skills, along with his passion for the company’s businesses and products, will be invaluable as ITG continues to build upon its heritage as the preeminent supplier of innovative products in its various marketplaces.”

 

ITG is a global, diversified provider of textile solutions across performance and specialty apparel fabrics, advanced uniform fabrics, technical commercial fabrics and engineered automotive components.ITG’s business units include: Burlington Worldwide, Cone Denim, Safety Components, Narricot and Carlisle Finishing. The company employs about 4,800 people worldwide with operations in the United States, Mexico and China.