By definition, communication is in a constant state of transformation. From the founding of the printing press in 1440 to the shift toward the vast array of digital-only choices available today, how we communicate has never stopped evolving. There’s no indication it ever will, actually, and there’s a fundamental reason.
Your voice.
At Glen Raven, your voice plays a critical role in how we communicate with one another. Your insights matter to our organization, and we appreciate that you participated in our company’s annual employee survey. The Glint survey, which closed earlier this month, provides valuable feedback into how Glen Raven can provide you with the support and resources you need to succeed.
The confidential input you provided will help improve the way Glen Raven trains, onboards and engages with associates. From a customer standpoint, your input helps identify ways to strengthen our partnerships and how Glen Raven can meet our business objectives and those of our customers. We look forward to sharing insights gleaned later this year.
I also want to take a moment and reflect on Glen Raven’s annual service milestones. As noted in our Coffee Talk program in January, nearly 200 associates are celebrating between five and 40 years of service. Among those, 21 are marking 30 years, 10 are observing 35 years and six are celebrating a remarkable 40 years of service. The cumulative tenures among each associate speak volumes about the work we’re doing together to help our customers reach their goals. Congratulations to everyone celebrating a milestone this year, and I look forward to recognizing your tenures — and your voices — in the years ahead.
Leib Oehmig, CEO
pop - up gallery
Glen Raven hosted a special pop-up art gallery at Sunbrella ® HQ over three days in January for the public, associates and shareholders of Glen Raven featuring artwork by western North Carolina artists impacted by Hurricane Helene.
During the public event, nearly 200 people from the general community attended the exhibition, titled “Burnsville to Burlington,” and raised $10,000 for the art community in Yancey and Mitchell counties. The donations will be administered by Toe River Arts, which has a nearly 50-year history of promoting and encouraging cultural and educational organizations in both counties. Glen Raven’s
Burnsville Plant, heavily damaged during the September 2024 storm, is located in Yancey County.
“Having this show at Glen Raven was wonderful to help replace lost income since the hurricane, and having it in January was also helpful since the winter months are leaner for generating pottery sales,” said Joy Tanner, owner of Wood Song Pottery in Bakersville, North Carolina, and one of eight artists who participated in the exhibition.
To contact the artists and learn the inspiration behind their work, which is available for purchase, see the column to the right.
Explore artists from the Toe River Arts Council to learn more and purchase art. Instagram accounts are included where applicable.
Jenny Edwards jedwards28754@gmail.com
Paul Eisenhauer pauleisenhauer12@gmail.com blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ paul-eisenhauer-woodworker/
Judson Guerard guerardglass.com
Nick Joerling nickjoerling@gmail.com | joerlingstudio.com @joerling_studio
Rob Levin levinglass@gmail.com | robertlevin.com
J.R. & Kristen Page jrpage@gmail.com | pagepottery.com @pagepottery
Michael Rutkowsky rutkowskypottery.com | @pbpotter
Ruth Rutkowsky mrspots111@outlook.com rutkowskypottery.com | @ruth_f_r_pottery
Ken & Galen Sedberry sedberry@sedberrypottery.com sedberrypottery.com @sedberrypottery | @galensedberry
Martin Stankus mstinroofpottery@gmail.com tinroofpottery.com | @tinroofpottery
Amanda Taylor oatkaglass@gmail.com | oatkaglass.com @oatkaglassstudio
Joy Tanner & William Taylor woodsongpottery@gmail.com joytannerpottery.com | @joytannerpottery
Terry Weber twweaving@gmail.com | twweaving.com @twweaving
Glen Raven has joined Vance-Granville Community College in the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program, which is designed to develop skilled talent for a modern workforce. Glen Raven’s support of the program speaks to the company’s commitment to investing in education to meet the critical need to recruit and train workers.
Pictured in this VGCC photo taken at the Norlina Plant are (from left) Ken Wilson, TechHire grant project manager from VGCC; Sara Lloyd, director of customized training for VGCC; Todd Wemyss, site manager for Glen Raven; Shaler Chewning, trainer/ auditor for Glen Raven; Robbie Earnhardt, owner of Wake Forest–based Superior Tooling and chairman of the apprentice program; Cal Swedberg, vice president of manufacturing and facility manager for Revlon in Oxford, a program member; and Stephen Tsotsoros, operations manager for Dill Air Controls Products in Oxford, also a program member.
Sunbrella ® and Trivantage ® exhibited at the annual Marine Fabricators Conference in January. Held this year in Corpus Christi, Texas, the conference is a staple in the marine industry featuring education and networking designed to help marine fabricators cultivate industry connections and improve their efficiency in serving customers. At the Trivantage booth (pictured), Camari Henderson of Camari’s Custom Canvas, a custom marine canvas company in Sausalito, California, won a sewing contest showcasing new GORE ® TENARA® sewing thread. Brian Holian, sales director for Trivantage, presented Henderson with a spool of the thread designed for marine projects. Sunbrella and Trivantage will attend the 2026 conference in Savannah, Georgia, to build on their connections with valued partners in the marine space.
As a pioneer in China’s premium coffee scene, Song Café is more than just a coffee shop. It is a testament to the art of living. Owned by the prestigious SONG culinary group, Song Café opened its second location nationwide at Taikoo Li, a retail-led mixed-use development, in Chengdu in late 2024.
This new flagship location is nothing short of a masterpiece. Its design was meticulously crafted by the acclaimed Chinese designer Huang Yongcai, a recipient of the iF DESIGN AWARD and Red Dot Design Award, together with his studio RMA Republic Urbanism. From spatial planning to intricate
details, every aspect of the Café exudes an avant-garde aesthetic that seamlessly blends modernity with artistic sophistication.
A noteworthy feature of the space is its use of premium materials from Sunbrella. From parasols to the soft upholstery and cushions used in both indoor and outdoor areas, the signature white fabric enhances the environment with a touch of minimalist elegance. It creates a fresh and comfortable atmosphere, offering customers a truly immersive sensory experience for both the eyes and the palate.
When it comes to heart health, most people think of actions such as cholesterol checks, blood pressure monitoring and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, the human body’s systems are deeply interconnected, meaning that heart health clues often emerge in places you might not expect, including your dental office or optometrist’s clinic. Paying attention to routine screenings in seemingly unrelated areas can uncover hidden health risks and provide opportunities to take steps to protect your cardiovascular wellness.
When a heart attack occurs, getting help quickly is critical. If you experience symptoms but are not sure if it is a heart attack, call 911. It could save your life.
According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack occurs every 40 seconds in the United States. Preventing heart issues begins with caring for your entire body, as studies show that conditions such as gum disease and eye health can impact cardiovascular well-being.
For example, gum disease is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks and strokes. Dentists can catch these symptoms early, helping prevent heart-related complications. Similarly, during an eye exam, optometrists may detect early warning signs of cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes or elevated cholesterol levels. Routine screenings and early detection of these issues provide valuable opportunities for proactive heart
Take these few steps to prioritize your overall health:
1. Prioritize Routine Screenings: Schedule dental cleanings twice a year and annual eye exams even if you’re symptomfree. Early detection can make all the difference.
2. Practice Preventive Care: Keep inflammation at bay by maintaining good oral hygiene, eating a heart-healthy diet and staying active.
3. Communicate With Your Healthcare Providers: Share any findings from dental or eye exams with your primary care provider to ensure a holistic approach to your health.
4. Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to discuss what your dentist or optometrist observes during your exam and how it might relate to your overall health.
A heart attack can be sudden and intense, but it can also start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. The most common symptoms for both men and women are chest pain or pressure, but women may experience other symptoms that are less commonly associated with heart attacks.
Men typically experience:
Nausea or vomiting
Jaw, neck or back pain
Squeezing chest pressure or pain
Shortness of breath
Women may experience all the symptoms men have, plus:
Anxiety
Shortness of breath
Upset stomach
Pain in the shoulder, back or arm
Unusual tiredness and weakness
All Glen Raven locations participated in a toy drive in December to benefit Burnsville and other Yancey County, North Carolina, communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Associates went all-in on the company’s Heart for People principle during a season of giving to create a memorable and heartwarming event for those affected by rebuilding efforts.
Associates at Anderson Plant, Burlington Plant, Norlina Plant, Glen Raven Logistics, Trivantage distribution centers and the corporate campus in Burlington donated new and unwrapped gifts across multiple categories: stuffed animals, Legos, coloring books, reading books, sports items and more. The gifts were organized and distributed at Burnsville Plant in conjunction with Helping Partners, a 501(c)(3) that is assisting Glen Raven associates who have been affected by the hurricane that struck western North Carolina in September 2024.
As of Feb. 1, 142 weaving machines are back up and running and delivering major Glen Raven product lines, including Sunbrella ®, GlenGuard ® and Sur Last ® fabrics. Production on these lines had shifted to Anderson Plant following the storm. Partial operations resumed at Burnsville Plant in late October, with production scaling up each week since.
