US textile major Cone Denim has inked a deal to bring the vintage American Draper X3 selvage looms from its historic White Oak plant back into production.
The company has agreed to sell the X3 looms to local investor Will Dellinger, who plans to start producing denim fabric in North Carolina.
The looms were a “significant factor” in the movement of the cotton textile industry to the South, and Cone Denim president Steve Maggard says: “It is exciting to see a path forward for these iconic looms that allows them to remain in North Carolina and continue the legacy of American denim.
“The denim community has been so supportive of Cone Denim and the heritage of the White Oak plant, which will forever be a part of Cone Denim.”
Cone Mills ceased operation at the White Oak facility at the end of 2017.
“While we will not be involved in the operation of the looms going forward we are pleased with the prospect of them finding a new home,” Maggard adds. “Will Dellinger understands the heritage and history of these looms and we appreciate his commitment to putting them back in production here in North Carolina.”
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By GlobalDataThe American Draper X3 looms were produced by the Draper Corporation, based out of Hopedale, Massachusetts, which operated for more than 130 years. The X3 looms being sold to Dellinger date as far back as the 1940s; some were original to the White Oak plant while others were reclaimed from outside sources and restored for use at the plant.
In support of the city’s denim heritage, Cone Denim will also donate one of the looms to the Greensboro History Museum.
