In the early twentieth century, Allentown and the surrounding Lehigh Valley ranked among the most important silk manufacturing centers in the United States. Brick mills along the Lehigh River and Jordan Creek employed thousands of workers producing ribbons, broadcloth, and fine fabrics. Many of those historic mill buildings have since been converted into apartments, offices, and creative spaces.
Today's textile industry looks very different. Production has shifted toward technical fabrics, performance materials, uniforms, and specialty narrow wovens. For Allentown businesses that need textiles, from hospitals and hotels to manufacturers and retailers, the following ten companies stand out for quality, capacity, and service.
The Legacy and Future of Lehigh Valley Textiles
The region's textile heritage created a workforce culture of precision and craftsmanship that still influences local manufacturing. Pennsylvania continues to host specialty textile producers serving defense, aerospace, medical, and industrial markets. Proximity to major East Coast population centers and the logistics hub along Interstate 78 makes the Lehigh Valley an efficient place to receive and distribute textile goods.
Trends in Modern Textile Manufacturing
Sustainability is transforming the industry, with recycled fibers, water-saving dyeing processes, and circular uniform programs gaining traction. Reshoring is another major trend as companies seek shorter, more resilient supply chains. Technical textiles with antimicrobial, flame-resistant, or high-strength properties are among the fastest-growing segments, especially for healthcare and industrial customers.
Benefits of Working with Established Textile Partners
Experienced textile manufacturers bring consistency that smaller or overseas suppliers often struggle to match. Reliable color matching, documented quality testing, and compliance with safety standards such as flame-resistance and medical certifications protect buyers from costly recalls and rework. Domestic and nearshore partners also offer faster turnaround, easier communication, and greater flexibility when demand spikes, which is especially valuable for Allentown businesses serving fast-moving retail and healthcare markets.
Our Picks: The 10 Best Textile Manufacturers in Allentown
1. Bally Ribbon Mills
Located in nearby Berks County, Bally Ribbon Mills is a family-owned manufacturer of engineered narrow fabrics, webbings, and tapes. Its products serve aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial markets with exacting specifications. The company embodies the region's ribbon-weaving heritage while applying advanced engineering to modern applications.
2. Cintas
Cintas is a national leader in uniform rental and textile programs, providing workwear, mats, towels, and facility products to businesses of every size. Allentown manufacturers, restaurants, and healthcare facilities rely on its consistent service routes and wide product selection to keep employees outfitted and facilities clean.
3. UniFirst
UniFirst designs, manufactures, and services uniforms and protective clothing for a wide range of industries. Its flame-resistant garments and high-visibility workwear are particularly valued by Lehigh Valley utilities, warehouses, and industrial employers. The company's personalized account management earns strong customer loyalty.
4. Vestis
Vestis, formerly the uniform division of Aramark, supplies uniforms, workplace supplies, and textile services to businesses across the country. It supports hospitality, food processing, and healthcare clients with customizable garment programs and dependable laundering services.
5. Unifi
Unifi is a global innovator in synthetic and recycled yarns, best known for its REPREVE recycled fiber made from plastic bottles. Apparel and home goods brands sourcing for Allentown-area retailers often specify Unifi fibers to meet sustainability targets without compromising performance.
6. Glen Raven
Glen Raven is the maker of Sunbrella performance fabrics, widely used in outdoor furniture, awnings, and marine applications. Its durable, fade-resistant textiles are popular with Lehigh Valley furniture makers, upholsterers, and commercial designers seeking long-lasting materials.
7. Milliken & Company
Milliken is a diversified manufacturer with a long history in textiles, producing performance fabrics, floor coverings, and specialty materials. Its research-driven approach yields innovations in flame resistance, healthcare textiles, and sustainable flooring used by institutions throughout the region.
8. Culp
Culp is a leading producer of mattress fabrics and upholstery textiles for residential and commercial furniture. Furniture manufacturers and bedding companies serving the Northeast rely on Culp for stylish designs, consistent quality, and responsive product development.
9. Freudenberg Performance Materials
Freudenberg Performance Materials manufactures technical nonwovens used in filtration, automotive, building, and medical applications. Its engineered materials support many of the industrial and logistics operations that define the modern Lehigh Valley economy.
10. Berry Global
Berry Global produces nonwoven fabrics used in hygiene, healthcare, and industrial products, alongside its broader packaging portfolio. Its scale and innovation capabilities make it an important supplier for manufacturers that need consistent, high-volume nonwoven materials.
How to Select a Textile Manufacturing Partner
Start by defining technical requirements such as fiber content, weight, durability, and certifications. Ask potential partners about minimum order quantities, lead times, and their ability to scale. Evaluate sustainability practices and supply chain transparency, especially if your customers expect responsibly sourced materials. For service-based programs like uniforms, compare route reliability, garment replacement policies, and contract flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Allentown's textile story did not end with the silk mills. The industry has evolved into a high-tech, sustainability-focused sector, and businesses in the Lehigh Valley have access to excellent manufacturing partners. The companies above combine innovation, reliability, and quality, making them strong choices for any organization sourcing textiles in the region.