Why you should volunteer and log your hours.
American Southwest inspires a new collection from Sunbrella and United Fabrics.
Glen Raven associate volunteers at damaged home.
I spoke at Glen Raven Material & Consumer Solutions Groups’ annual meeting in November, and at its core, the message I shared with our colleagues has implications for all of Glen Raven, regardless of operating group or location in our company’s footprint.
Our company is built on relationships. Relationships have mattered since Glen Raven’s founder, John Q. Gant, shook his first hand in 1880, and they are just as important today as our company expands its global presence in markets he could have only dreamed of. There is no doubt that Glen Raven’s success since the days of John Q. is due in no small part to how building and sustaining relationships was instilled in the company’s DNA at the time of its founding and nurtured since.
When we relaunched our associate newsletter as Connections in 2022, it was part of Glen Raven’s journey to become a more purpose-driven company. Purpose guides us in everything we do, and our six Guiding Principles serve as both a rallying cry and a North Star for our forward direction, both individually and collectively as a company. The concept of relationships is part of our purpose statement — Weaving Connections That Keep the World Spinning — and it’s central to defining how our products and services help weave the experiences at the heart of everyday life.
As you reset and recharge your thinking over the holiday break, I encourage you to reflect on the relationships you have built this year and the impact that showing up for our customers has for Glen Raven over the long term. This spirit carries through to how we are able to support our customer base, and it’s also foundational in how we will become a market leader in every market we serve. That collaborative spirit is also what’s going to drive our ability to push our business forward regardless of challenge.
Every one of us has a voice, so make sure your voice is heard. Listen often, then engage. We need your ideas, and we also need you to take risks. I’ll be the first to admit that risk-taking isn’t always easy, but when you show up and collaborate with your peers, that’s when Glen Raven succeeds. Our company has been on a journey toward excellence for nearly 145 years. With your voice, the journey continues.
Happy holidays to you and your families. I look forward to watching you get after it often in the new year — and cultivating relationships along the way.
Leib Oehmig, CEO
United Fabrics and Sunbrella ® take inspiration from the vistas, overlooks, quarries and trails of the American Southwest in the new Red Rocks Collection, the second stop in the brands’ cross-country Roadtrip Series. Featuring 24 SKUs, including four new performance fabric patterns in a variety of earthen colorways, the Red Rocks Collection celebrates the beauty of untouched nature and the majesty of mountainous landscapes.
“The Roadtrip Series, a collaborative line with United Fabrics, embodies the freedom of travel, with its next destination set in Colorado,” said Tracy Greene, design director at Sunbrella. “Inspired by the Southwest’s striking landscape of red rock mountains, soft blue skies and green cacti, this collection translates the spirit of the open road into textile form, capturing the essence of exploration and adventure.”
The cross-country journey of the Roadtrip Series launched with the Coney Island Collection earlier this year. The overarching series honors iconic American road trip destinations, with patterns that feel modern and current and offer a nod of nostalgia to each stop along the way. The partnership will
continue with other sentimental locations in 2025, with additional collections designed for both residential and commercial settings. The entire Red Rocks Collection, available exclusively to the design trade through United Fabrics, meets ACT standards for commercial fabrics, including abrasion test certifications ranging from 55,000 to 100,000 double rubs, depending on the pattern.
Over the many years of collaboration between the two textile pioneers, United Fabrics has become a leading source for Sunbrella fabrics, from open-line SKUs to brandexclusive patterns and colorways. Sunbrella fabrics deliver on comfort and purposeful performance requirements for indoor and outdoor spaces, including colorfastness, easy cleanability and stain resistance.
“With the Red Rocks Collection, we had the opportunity to feature more texture and bold color from the Sunbrella portfolio,” said Lindsey Josepayt, vice president of design and marketing at United Fabrics. “The rich palette of colors found in the American Southwest inspired our use of color to evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia in these textiles.”
Patterns from the Red Rocks Collection include:
• Landscape: An organic stripe pattern mimicking rocky formations and mountain ranges, Landscape is available in a range of colorways inspired by nature’s seasonal palettes of earthy tones.
• Camper: With sophisticated colorways that celebrate the great outdoors, Camper is a classic plaid with a textural twist thanks to its bouclé yarn.
• Miles: Already a popular United Fabrics multicolor performance texture, Miles is released in new colorways to perfectly coordinate with the organic palettes of the Red Rocks Collection.
• Switchback: Featuring an abstract textured houndstooth motif, Switchback delivers an unexpected play on the classic pattern by introducing jagged and irregular forms to echo natural landscapes.
Sunbrella ® partnered with CR Laine for an exclusive panel event, When Leisure Meets Luxury, at the furniture manufacturer’s showroom at Fall High Point Furniture Market. The event explored how the idea of luxury has shifted from glamorous acquisitions to intangibles that often aim for emotion and comfort instead of status.
Krissa Rossbund, senior style editor of Traditional Home, curated a thoughtful discussion of luxury and its applications to leisure living with designers Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors, Katie Laughridge of Nell Hill’s, and Kristine Bates of Kristine Bates Interiors.
They discussed the expectations for luxury to embrace lifestyle from all angles with design that delivers more than an aesthetic victory.
During the show’s gathering of design professionals, Sunbrella also partnered with CR Laine for other activities in its showroom space, including the popular stain bar demonstrations (pictured). Market attendees engaged with Sunbrella at the Capris Furniture showroom, which offered a hands-on experience with a wide range of indoor Sunbrella fabrics, including a 10-foot swatch station filled with dozens of patterns and colorways.
At the Advanced Textiles Expo, the industrial fabrics industry’s showcase show, Trivantage ® demonstrated its new Seamstick Taper Tool, which makes it easy to apply seam tape to zippers, webbing and trim. Trivantage highlighted a range of innovative marine and shade offerings at the expo and outlined new benefits for Trivantage Plus™, the industry’s first customer membership program.
Designed by a fabricator, the Seamstick Taper Tool makes quick work of a seam tape application, providing placement on one or both edges with no bleed over. Demonstrations on the ease and convenience of using this ingenious tool took place each day at the Trivantage booth, where visitors could also practice applying the tape.
“As we demonstrated at the AT Expo, fabricators can improve accuracy and save valuable production time with our new Seamstick Taper Tool, which was specially designed to ensure consistent, precise tape placement,” said Keith Purves, business development and training manager at Trivantage.
Also during the expo, Trivantage highlighted innovative products and trusted solutions for all project needs in two categories — shade and marine.
“At Trivantage, we’re always seeking new ways to make our customers’ lives easier and help them get the job done right,” said Lindsay Shakarjian, marketing director. “The products and services we showcased at the Advanced Textiles Expo are designed to do just that while also demonstrating how we value the partnerships we share with our customers.”
For over three decades, Goodearl + Bailey has been a trusted distributor of Dickson® Fabrics in the Australian market.
Clare Corban from Goodearl + Bailey says that this enduring partnership has not only stood the test of time but also played a pivotal role in establishing Dickson Solar Fabrics as a renowned brand in Australia.
“As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we take pride in the trust, collaboration and shared vision that has been the foundation of our success,” Corban told Window Furnishings Australia.
“Goodearl + Bailey has an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality fabrics and exceptional customer service.
“Through our combined efforts, we have successfully introduced Dickson Fabrics to a wide range of customers, including architects and designers who have come to rely on the
brand’s superior quality and innovative designs. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has been the cornerstone of this success.”
Corban said one of the key factors contributing to the longevity of our partnership is the unparalleled expertise that Goodearl + Bailey (est. 1886) and Dickson (est. 1836) bring to the table.
“With our deep understanding of the Australian market and Dickson-Constant’s extensive knowledge of textile weaving and design, we have been able to navigate challenges, anticipate and adapt to changing trends, and consistently meet the evolving needs of our customers. This synergy has allowed us to maintain our position as industry leaders.”
Beyond business transactions, Corban said Goodearl + Bailey and Dickson prioritize integrity, reliability and a commitment to excellence.
“This alignment of values has created a strong bond, enabling both companies to work seamlessly together and provide unparalleled support to our customers. Our shared dedication to delivering the best products and services has been the driving force behind our success.
“As we reflect on the past 30 years, we are grateful for the trust and support of our customers who have been instrumental in our journey. Looking ahead, Goodearl + Bailey and Dickson-Constant remain committed to pushing boundaries, exploring new possibilities and continuing to provide innovative solutions to the Australian market.
“We are excited about the future and the opportunities for us to strengthen our partnership further, expand our reach and deliver even greater value to our customers,” Corban added.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in Window Furnishings Australia
In September, John Falkner, talent acquisition manager at Glen Raven, completed the Blue Ridge Relay alongside a team of 12. This annual race spans more than 200 miles, from Grayson Highlands, Virginia, to Asheville, North Carolina, and lasts up to 36 hours. Teams of four to 12 runners race to complete 36 segments, also known as “legs,” of varying difficulty, navigating diverse terrains and elevations and potential hazards such as traffic and wildlife.
We spoke with John about his experience, how he prepared and his key takeaways.
How did you prepare for the race?
We competed in the race for 28 hours nonstop and stayed awake for over 40 hours. It took about six months of running to prepare along with weightlifting. We ran anywhere from 30 to 40 miles a week and 4 to 6 miles at a time.
How many participants were in the race?
There were about 2,000 people who competed in the race. It was fun to have some friendly competition. Our team finished 28th out of 200 teams.
How many miles did you run during your section of the relay?
I ran in three legs. The first was 4 miles long at a 6:57-minute pace and it took 27 minutes. My second leg was 9.2 miles long and I ran at an 8:54-minute pace, taking an hour and 22 minutes to finish. My final leg took 34 minutes at an 8:00-minute pace and was 4.29 miles long.
What are your takeaways from your experience?
To compete in a race like this, I’d suggest that people enroll in a running competition that will force them to work out and get moving. One hard event or two moderate events a year can help you stay focused. I get more motivated when I have some kind of competition goal I am working toward.
Do you have any tips for someone interested in preparing for a race?
Using Glen Raven’s resources helped me prepare for the relay. I met regularly with Glen Raven’s registered dietician, Jamie Martin, and she helped me learn more about eating habits, including what to eat and when to eat. I think people should use these resources so they can learn more about their experience on a oneon-one basis.
To learn more about the Blue Ridge Relay, visit blueridgerelay.com
leading through service
Glen Raven has a long tradition of involvement in its communities, from the founding family members to company leadership and the industry. Volunteerism lives at the core of the company’s purpose and is driven by its Guiding Principles, including Heart for People and It’s Not About Me. Leadership often embraces community involvement, using advocacy or partnerships to tackle the creative solutions required for local challenges.
In 2020, Glen Raven set a goal of having 100% of associates participate in volunteer activities by the end of 2025. Achieving this milestone isn’t just about reaching a number — it’s about amplifying collective impact. Volunteering can provide an opportunity to practice horizontal leadership while collaborating and garnering collective impact that reflects the culture within Glen Raven.
“A shared value may be caring for our neighbors, friends, coworkers and family,” said Kelly May, manager of community relations. “It’s about being the best version of us and how we want to enact positive change in our community.”
Glen Raven also encourages a focus geared toward the education of young children.
According to the First Five Years Fund, adults who had quality early childhood education as children are more likely to be employed full time, own a home and have a savings account. Early childhood education will affect the rest of a person’s life — as well as the community they live in. Areas with strong early childhood education rates enjoy more economic stability and growth, a strong workforce pipeline and better overall quality of life — and achieving this is the goal for every Glen Raven community.
Glen Raven is aiming for 100% of employees to participate in at least two hours of volunteer activities annually by the end of 2025. Reaching this target will showcase a shared opportunity to demonstrate the difference the company and its associates can make together. Logging volunteer time helps highlight the collective impact of everyone’s efforts, as every hour counts toward this shared achievement.
According to May, the first step in planning where and how to volunteer is to think about individual passions. “When you hear about current events around the world or spend time with your family, what piques your interest? Start here to see how you can get plugged in,” May said.
Jimmy Barnhardt, decorative sales manager for Trivantage ® (third person from left, right photo), joined volunteers from the disaster relief team of Baptists on Mission to clean up a home heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene in Yancey County, the home county of Burnsville Plant.
Barnhardt and volunteers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Ohio and Montana performed a mud-out for Yancey County resident Michael Cooper, a father of two who had lived in the home for more than
30 years. Cooper and his family lost nearly all of their belongings, including a vehicle that was engulfed in two feet of mud.
Baptists on Mission is a ministry of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, which has an operation in Burnsville and other locations in western North Carolina. The organization serves registered residents requesting assistance to clean off personal property. Barnhardt described his experience on the mud-out as “demonstrating a heart for people.”
Throughout 2025, each Glen Raven location will hold planned volunteer opportunities that will make it easy for associates to get involved. These include environmental cleanups, supplies drives for teachers or students, outreach for families during the holiday season, or nonprofit campaigns.
Follow these quick steps to make sure accomplishments are shared:
1. Participate in a Volunteer Activity: Explore opportunities through each Glen Raven location, and you also can log volunteer hours for time spent on individual passions outside of the company.
2. Record Hours: Use the UGK platform to log volunteer time. For assistance, contact local HR representatives.
3. Celebrate the Impact: Watch as collective contributions grow and celebrate the difference associates are making together.
Log your 2024 volunteer hours by February 1, 2025.
