Milliken & Company is a privately held American industrial manufacturing company specializing in textiles, chemicals, floor coverings, performance materials, and healthcare products. Founded in 1865 as Deering Milliken & Co. by Seth Milliken and William Deering in Portland, Maine, the company initially operated as a woolen fabrics distributor before relocating to New York City in 1868 and expanding into manufacturing with investments in South Carolina facilities starting in 1884. Under the leadership of Roger Milliken from the mid-20th century, it grew into a global enterprise, renaming to Milliken & Company in 1971, and moving its headquarters to Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1958. The company is renowned for innovations such as the Millitron digital carpet printer in 1973 and the Pursuit of Excellence (POE) quality management program launched in 1981, which emphasized employee teams and process improvements. It has received numerous accolades, including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1989, and rankings as one of Fortune's '100 Best Companies to Work For' multiple times. Recent expansions include acquisitions like Polartec in 2019, Borchers in 2020, and investments in sustainability initiatives such as joining The Recycling Partnership and founding the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation in 2021. The Milliken family, particularly through Roger Milliken, has been associated with conservative political donations, influencing the company's reputation in networks of influence. Historically, Milliken & Company faced significant controversy in labor relations, notably the 1956 closure of its Darlington, South Carolina mill following workers' approval of the Textile Workers Union of America amid unfavorable working condition changes imposed by management. This action led to a protracted legal battle, including a U.S. Supreme Court case, lasting until 1980 and highlighting tensions in the textile industry. The company has also been involved in international expansion since 1965, with operations in Europe, and continues to focus on research and development, holding thousands of patents. Employing around 5,000 to 10,000 people globally, Milliken emphasizes materials science for sustainable solutions in industries like protective textiles for first responders and healthcare products for wound care.