History of Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Mills on Jones Falls

Mount Vernon traces its origin to the Jones Falls area in what is now Baltimore, Maryland. Several flour or grist mills were built there around 1810, and by the 1830s, many of the mills were being converted into cotton duck manufacturing operations. One such mill, when it was converted in 1847, was named "Mount Vernon Mill No. 1" This mill, together with several others in the area, would soon become the Mount Vernon Company, a leading maker of quality cotton duck cloth for sails for clipper ships and canvas cloth for tents.

The early years of Mount Vernon provided at least one interesting historical footnote. Fabrics made by the Company's mill in Baltimore were sewn into tents used by the Union Army in the Civil War. At the same time, the Tallassee, Alabama facility, which became part of Mount Vernon in 1900, produced cloth for uniforms and carbine rifles for the Confederate Army...
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The Pamplin Company

Robert B. Pamplin Sr.,
and Robert B. Pamplin Jr.

In 1982, R.B. Pamplin Corporation purchased Mount Vernon Mills. Since that time, as chairman and CEO, Dr. Pamplin has overseen investment of more than $840 million in capital improvements, and grown revenues through enhanced internal operations and additional acquisitions. Sales have grown from $84 million in 1983 and are approaching $550 million today.

During the same period, Mount Vernon has kept a firm handle on manufacturing, selling, and administrative costs, leading to arguably one of the strongest balance sheets in the textile industry. In the United States, it is the second largest privately owned textile company, the third largest producer of denim, and the only vertically integrated pocketing manufacturer. Read More at www.pamplin.org

New Prospects

The fabric that makes up the Mount Vernon family is unique. Each employee plays a vital role in contributing to the company's success. When their jobs are performed well, the process becomes more efficient. The more efficient the process, the more the company is able to meet the goals of the shareholders as well as its collective responsibilities to the communities where plants are located.

Mount Vernon Mills has been in continuous operation for over 150+ years, with a widely diverse range of products, services and capabilities. it is one of the most dynamic companies in the textile industry, with a corporate commitment to reinvestment. Through technological advances, Mount Vernon Mills has been able to change and adapt to the growing threat of foreign trade and the devalued dollar.

When embarking on a career path in textiles, the ideal situation is to place yourself in the best possible arena to take advantage of everything the world of textiles has to offer. For this very reason, an offer of employment at Mount Vernon Mills can mean limitless opportunity. It's a company with whom a long, prosperous and rewarding career can still exist.

Corporate Citizens

One of Mount Vernon Mills' guiding business philosophies is that the interests of the stockholders, the employees, and the communities - of which each plant is a part - are equal. Because of this, no one interest is any more important than any other in the total company equation. It is therefore incumbent upon all to work together in harmony, because each is so closely tied.

Columbia Mills Building

It is through this framework and company spirit that the R.B. Pamplin Corporation and its subsidiaries have generously donated numerous buildings, helped build schools, and given contributions to each of the local communities that are home to Mount Vernon Mills' operations.

Pamplin School of Business

In 1981, Mount Vernon Mills donated the historic Columbia Mills Complex to the State of South Carolina to house the State Museum. 1986 heralded a substantial gift which was given by R.B. Pamplin to Virginia Tech, endowing the R.B. Pamplin School of Business. More recently, the small town of Trion, GA was the recipient of a substantial gift by Mount Vernon Mils in order to build a new modern school for the children there.