NCTO Statement on Passing of Mark Kent, CEO of KENTWOOL
WASHINGTON, DC – Mark Kent, CEO of Greenville, South Carolina-based KENTWOOL, an innovative producer of wool yarn, hosiery and other textile products, died on September 24. He was 55.
Reacting to Kent’s death, National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President & CEO Auggie Tantillo said, “Mark’s unexpected passing is another severe and tragic blow for the U.S. textile industry. He was an expert in his field who cared deeply for his workers and the communities that relied on KENTWOOL to provide employment and investment.”
“From a national policy standpoint, Mark’s insight and direction on issues impacting the U.S. wool textile sector will be especially missed.”
NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.
- U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 565,000 in 2016.
- The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $74.4 billion last year, a nearly 11% increase since 2009.
- U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $26.3 billion in 2016.
- Capital expenditures for textile and apparel production totaled $2 billion in 2015, the last year for which data is available.
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CONTACT: Lloyd Wood
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