Posted November 9, 2015

 

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

– Seneca the Younger

 

In some ways, you might say Valdese Weavers is lucky – lucky to still be among the living in the U.S. textile industry, for sure. And certainly lucky in the sense the Roman philosopher meant in the quote above. But the success of the jacquard fabric producer is hardly the result of happenstance or serendipity.

 

As you can read in this week’s lead story, Valdese Weavers is chugging along quite well, thank you, enjoying one of the most successful periods in its 100-year history. Under the direction of CEO Mike Shelton over the last two decades, the Valdese, N.C.-based company has grown and thrived, even during economic downturns – thanks to foresight, measured judgment and a series of smart moves that obviously had more to do with its good fortune than luck.

 

During recent interviews with Valdese Weavers’ leadership, I certainly came away impressed by their ability to read the stitches on the fastball, oftentimes appearing to be two or three steps ahead of the game – the game being globalization and all of its unpredictable vagaries.

 

On the occasion of their centennial, I asked for the opportunity to feature this standout company, and they happily obliged. They were extremely generous of their time and anxious to tell me the Valdese story from their perspective, and I am forever grateful and privileged to hear this story first person. Let me tell you, these are fine folks, and extremely astute, gracious and humble. (But that doesn’t surprise me, their being in this esteemed industry.)

 

To mark its 100th anniversary, Valdese Weavers unveiled a new company logo, renovated its High Point, N.C., showrooms, held several celebrations and created an anniversary book.

 

I was fortunate to have attended their company anniversary picnic, where many of the intangibles mentioned in this week’s story on Valdese Weavers were on display. That teamwork, camaraderie and caring I heard so much about shined through that fun Saturday in August. You could sense the spirit of togetherness among the company’s 950 associates and their families – and the appreciation management feels for their employees shone through, too.

 

Congratulations, Valdese Weavers, on reaching such an historic milestone and for doing so as a strong, growing company poised for another century of business success. You are eTextileCommunications’ well-deserved 2015 Industry Champion. We’re lucky to have you in our industry.

Valdese Weavers made its own luck