New life for Faribault Woolen Mills

[trotsky]

...Often cited as the oldest manufacturing company in Minnesota, Faribault Woolen Mills was founded in 1865, while Abraham Lincoln was president of the United States. "It's kind of that magical thing that you'd hope would never disappear," said Melchert.

Back when the plant was humming more than 150 workers made wool blankets by the hundreds of thousands, warming cruise ship passengers and Army cadets at West Point and supplying a healthy retail market.

Faribault Woolen Mills was the nation's largest manufacturer of wool blankets, until the weight of foreign competition and a series of missteps by several owners left the old plant gasping for capital, unable to dig itself out of debt. Its looms were weeks from being shipped to a company in Pakistan.

...

The Mootys believe an Americana woolen mill, freed of old debts and properly marketed, can be economically viable. "Selfishly for us, we view this as a family involvement and financial investment that hopefully will create opportunities for future generations within our family," said Chuck Mooty.

Source: KARE 11 TV Minneapolis/St. Paul

Almost anything that can keep a healthy manufacturing sector going in this country is a good thing, IMHO.

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[NYC_SKP]

2. K/R (nt)

[hifiguy]

3. I know a couple of the people involved in this project.

They are very savvy and smart guys and good people.