Milliken & Company

Type: Private
On the web: http://www.milliken.com

Making tennis balls feel soft and Kraft Jell-O pudding smooth are just two of Milliken & Company's vast southern comforts. Among the world's largest private textile and chemical businesses, the South Carolina-based manufacturer produces 19,000-plus products, including carpets, apparel fabrics, mattress barriers, and wall coverings. It also makes chemicals and colorants that infuse Crayola markers and liquid laundry detergent, make plastic food containers clear, control dust, as well as offer improvements for astronauts, baseball players, home owners, and businesses. Milliken operates some 45 plants globally, and one of the largest textile research centers in the world. The Milliken family owns the company.

Officers:
Chairman: Roger Milliken
President and CEO: Joe Salley
CFO: Jim McNulty

Competitors:
DuPont
International Textile Group
Shaw Industries