Linens Manufacturing Industry Profile

Companies in this industry manufacture household textile products. Major companies include American Textile Company, Hollander Sleep Products, Pacific Coast Feather Co, and WestPoint Home (based in the US); as well as Springs Global Participações (based in Brazil), U10 (France), Vincenzo Zucchi (Italy), and Welspun India (India).

Major home textile markets are the US and the EU. Key home textile suppliers are China, India, and Pakistan.

The US linens manufacturing industry includes about 1,500 companies with combined annual revenue of about $4 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand depends on consumer income and the rate of household formation. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations. Large companies have economies of scale in production of high-volume items. Small companies can compete successfully by specializing. The US industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies generate nearly 65% of industry revenue.

Imports, which come mainly from China, India, and Pakistan, account for 70% of the US linen and draperies market. Mexico is the fourth largest source of imports. Exports, primarily to Canada, account for about 20% of US production.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products include bedspreads and comforters, blankets, sheets and pillowcases, curtains and draperies, towels, shower curtains, and tablecloths. Other products include placemats, napkins, mattress pads, ironing board covers, and slipcovers.

Household linen products are made from textiles, which in turn are made using highly specialized, automated machinery, mainly yarn spinning machines, knitting machines, and various looms. The combination of a ...