The Textiles Industry

The U.S. textile industry is one of the more important employers in the manufacturing sector, with over 235,000 workers, representing 2 percent of the U.S. manufacturing workforce.

Textile industry workers are highly skilled, and the industry is technologically advanced, with investments upward of $1.4 billion a year in total capital expenditures. In recent years, U.S. textile companies have focused on retooling their businesses, finding more effective work processes, investing in niche products and markets, and controlling costs.

The industry is globally competitive, ranking third in global export value behind the European Union and China. U.S. exports of textiles increased by 20 percent between 2009 and 2010.  More than 60 percent of U.S. textile exports go to our free trade agreement partner countries.