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On Tuesday Beverly Knits, Inc. purchased the assets of Gentry Mills. The new business, Creative Dyeing & Finishing, LLC, will continue to provide dyeing and finishing services to the textile industry. The operation will complement the Beverly Knits group of companies — Creative Fabrics, Creative Ticking, Altus Finishing and Hemingway Sewing Solutions.

“A combination of factors led to the decision to invest and expand,” said Ron Sytz, CEO of Beverly Knits Inc. “We have been producing quality circular knit textile products for over 42 years in Gastonia, North Carolina. We feel that this is the right time to further expand our capabilities into dyeing and finishing of fabrics. This continues to
support the re-shoring of textile production and to strengthen our capability to produce goods ‘Made in the USA.’ With this addition, Beverly Knits companies have the ability to provide solutions from knitting all the way to a completed garment.”

“It is a great time to be involved in manufacturing in the US,” Sytz said. “Similar to Gastonia’s heritage, Albemarle has a history steeped in textiles. We are very excited to invest locally in the people and equipment that will be required to grow this operation.”

As a result of projected increased demand, the new company expects to hire an additional 50 or more employees through 2023.

The Creative Dyeing and Finishing operation will provide fabric dyeing, finishing, napping and printing services to the apparel, industrial and bedding markets. The operation is starting with an experienced workforce. Investment in advanced control technologies, including upgrading of equipment, will modernize the operation over the next two years.

Beverly Knits, Inc. is one of the largest and most diverse circular knitters in the U.S., creating solutions for brands of performance wear, athletic footwear, intimate apparel, outdoor apparel, mattress and bedding solutions, automotive, industrial and medical products.

Jan Berkovik started at the current building for Gentry Mills in the mid 1990s. At that time, he was expanding out of Toronto, Canada.