CLOVER, S.C. – For decades, North American textile production seemed destined to fade away – factories shuttered, talent scattered and large orders lost to offshore competition. Yet, in the wake of market consolidation and personal loss, a striking gap has appeared for flexible, specialty producers who can say yes when others say no.
Enter American Texturing, Inc. (ATI).
ATI is the latest venture from Mercier Enterprises, whose roots run deep through North American textiles. Mercier Enterprises – the parent company of 3A Throwing in Cookshire, Quebec, Canada and Ames Textiles in Christiansburg, Va. – announced the launch of the company during a visit by eTC to the operations in Clover, S.C., this week. The facility previously operated as Cap Yarns.
With the forthcoming launch of a dedicated manufacturing plant here, ATI signifies not only the geographic expansion of the Canadian-based enterprise, but also its strategic commitment to innovation, sustainability and customer-driven flexibility in specialty yarn production, according to company officials.
“Textiles is tough,” Richard Mercier, owner of Mercier Enterprises. “But resilience, innovation and community are what keep us going. Now, with our new division here in South Carolina, we’re doubling down on that commitment – for our customers, our employees, and the communities we serve.”
American Texturing’s new facility stands as both a response to the changing needs of the North American market and a commitment to the region’s resurgence in technical and specialty textiles, he added. Here, leadership sees opportunity not in mass production, but in filling the gaps that matter most – reviving a sense of pride and partnership in the process.
“We’re not going to be a ‘no’ company,” said John Garner, president of American Texturing, Inc. “If we can’t do it ourselves, we’ll find a way, pull in our contacts, and help our customers get what they need.”
It’s this customer-first mentality – and the urgent need for nimble, innovative manufacturing at home – that sparked ATI’s founding and Mercier Enterprises’ expansion into South Carolina, Mercier said.
A legacy takes root
Mercier Enterprises, founded by Richard Mercier’s father and three partners, began its journey nearly 40 years ago in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Starting with 3A Throwing – twisting yarns for weaving companies in Canada – the company’s ambition was always broader. Its expansion accelerated in 2012 with its acquisition of Ames Textiles in Christiansburg, Va., a move engineered to expand its U.S. footprint and strengthen supply to key regional markets.
“We looked at where we were and where we wanted to be,” Mercier said. “This expansion under the umbrella of Mercier Enterprises isn’t just about growth, but about making sure when the industry thinks twisted or textured yarn, or innovative polymer blends, they think of us.”
Strategic growth planned in Clover
The decision to establish American Texturing was not taken lightly. The leadership team, including newly appointed Garner (who joined in April), meticulously scouted locations throughout the textile belt, seeking access to skilled labor, logistics and community support.
“We wanted a facility that provided both flexibility and scalability,” Garner explained. “Here in Clover, we found a space rooted in textile history, close to talent and our core customer base.”
Office renovations and major investments in state-of-the-art equipment are well underway, reflecting a vision of pride and innovation – both for associates and visiting customers. “We want everyone, from our employees to our clients, to feel like this is a place they want to be,” said Mercier.
A vision built on flexibility, innovation, and service
ATI is poised to serve a diverse range of specialty textile markets: military, high-end safety, composites and smart fabrics among them. The company is investing not only in new physical infrastructure, but also in cutting-edge technologies – such as advanced air-jet texturing machines capable of producing custom blends, recycled and biodegradable yarns and small-batch runs tailored to client needs.
“We’re not striving to be a commodity producer,” Garner stressed. “Our approach is to lead in flexibility – whether it’s a 500-pound specialty order or a 50,000-pound production run. The aim is creative partnership: to problem-solve for our customers on the spot.”
A signature feature of the facility will be its “War Room” – a state-of-the-art laboratory and innovation space at the center of the plant, designed for rapid prototyping. Customers and designers will be able to collaborate on new ideas for yarn and fabric – sometimes literally on the back of a napkin – and see concepts brought to life on the spot, Garner said.
A look inside
Step inside American Texturing, and the ambition is immediately evident. The facility stretches across 180,000 square feet – phase one alone activates over 50,000 square feet of floor space dedicated to a new generation of specialty yarn production. Yet, what stands out isn’t just the size, but the vision embedded in every upgrade and investment.
“We put in the best machinery in the world for air texturing,” Garner said. “And we’re just getting started. Phase two and three upgrades will keep adding capability, but from day one, this has to be a place our associates and our customers are proud of.”
The shop floor is set to hum with advanced air-jet texturing machines capable of producing a vast range of yarns – from 75 to 5,000 denier – in novel, sustainable blends. Automation touches every step: automatic doffing, rotating creels, lean layout – all designed for flexibility, efficiency and quality. “We’re built for lean and mean,” Garner explained. “We don’t just want efficient production, we want everyone cross-trained and feeling ownership in the process.”
The facility’s centerpiece, an open, state-of-the-art lab “War Room” with windows into the production area, will provide a collaborative workspace where customers and designers can bring ideas, see rapid prototypes and push new concepts from idea to sample in a single visit. “We want to be the first call for innovation – where a customer walks in with an idea and leaves with proof it can work,” Garner said.
He added: “We want all our customers to come in, bring their ideas and see what’s possible on the spot. The War Room isn’t just a lab – it’s a platform to knit, weave and develop new fabrics, with input from every part of the value chain. Whether it’s a small batch for a specific application or an entirely new concept, we want to prove what can be done, together and in real time.”
Workforce vision
At the heart of ATI’s new operation is a commitment to cultivating a skilled, versatile and empowered workforce. The company is launching with a team of 30 to 40 associates, with plans to ultimately employ 80 or more as expansion phases roll out. What sets ATI apart is its focus on cross-training – every associate will learn a variety of roles, spanning quality control, maintenance, and machine operation, according to Garner.
“Everybody’s going to be the supervisor and plant manager. No job description is just that – everyone’s job is to get it done,” Garner said. “We’ll cross-train everybody so they feel like they have some part of ownership in the entire business.”
This inclusive, hands-on approach extends to the leadership as well; titles like CEO and president are more than matched by a willingness to step onto the production floor, shoulder-to-shoulder with the team, he added.
Garner, himself a 30-year veteran of air-jet texturing, plans to personally lead much of the training, passing down hard-earned knowledge and tried-and-true SOPs, and fostering a culture of pride, continuous learning and mutual support.
Leadership and legacy
This collaborative culture is evident in the leadership dynamic at Mercier Enterprises. Beyond titles, the team – including Garner, Mercier, and longtime Ames Textiles General Manager / Sales leader Mack McCarter – prides itself on approachability and shared responsibility. “There’s no ego here,” said McCarter. “We work hard, we speak openly and our goal is always to add value for our customers. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll find it – even if it means reaching out across the industry.”
For Garner, joining at this pivotal moment in his career is about legacy and passion. “After decades in the industry, it’s rare to find an opportunity to help build something from the ground up – something sustainable, innovative and meaningful for the next generation.”
Looking ahead
As ATI prepares for first production in Clover, the company’s leaders remain pragmatic but optimistic. The industry may have changed – moving steadily toward niche and high-tech opportunities – but the team sees a bright future in specialty yarns and customer-driven, value-added service.
ATI’s leadership sees the facility not only as a business investment, but as a renewed commitment to the North American textile workforce and community. “There’s a lot of textile history here,” observed Garner. “We want to tap into that pride, that expertise – from seasoned hands to new talent coming out of school – and build something everyone can feel part of.”
Added Mercier: “American Texturing is about stepping outside our comfort zone and building something new for the future. It’s both exciting and a little scary, but we believe this kind of innovation is exactly what’s needed to move our industry forward.”
