Posted May 19, 2014

 

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Milliken & Company announced it has acquired Chicago-based Westex, Inc., a 95-year-old company with more than 50 years of experience manufacturing flame-resistant (FR) fabrics.

 

Milliken and Westex will combine to provide innovative fabrics for millions of global industrial employees who need protection from arc flash, flash fire and other thermal hazards, Milliken said in a release.

 

“We look forward to welcoming the Westex team to Milliken & Company,” said Jeff Price, president of the Specialty Fabrics Division of Milliken. “As we look to the future, we are committed to changing the experience for industrial workers with FR innovations that further improve comfort and productivity.”

 

Westex has launched several FR brands over the years, including UltraSoft®, UltraSoft AC®, Indura®, TrueComfortTM, Moda-Quilt® and Vinex®. These brands are used globally in the utilities, electrical maintenance, oil and gas and metals.

 

“All of us at Westex look forward to joining a strong, values-based company with a long heritage of innovation,” said Mike Enright, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Westex. “Westex has a proven track record of developing FR technology, products and strong end-user relationships that help customers develop successful programs. By combining our collective R&D talent, deep customer knowledge and market access, we will strengthen our capabilities and offer workers the highest levels of FR protection and comfort.”