Faribault Mills
www.faribaultmills.com

Faribault Woolen Mills Company was founded in 1865 in the sleepy farming community of Faribault, Minn. by German immigrant and craftsman Carl H. Klemer, a visionary entrepreneur. His company would outlive his children and their children and flourish for 135 years as America's premier manufacturer of fine woolen blankets and throws.

RICH IN TRADITION
Created as a company that simply"carded" wool, Klemer's infant mill brushed, cleaned and straightened the fibers in preparation for spinning and weaving by other manufacturers. Klemer used a secondhand, horse driven machine for the process during these formative years. As his business prospered, he added a "state-of-the-art" steam engine, spinning jennies and looms. He also expanded his product line by designing and producing cloth, flannel sheeting, and mostly important blankets. But Klemer quickly realized that his future, and that of his fledgling blanket business, was linked to the mastery of the complete textile process.

Klemer believed from the very beginning that his products would be uniquely different in the marketplace if he controlled all components of the design and manufacturing process that transforms raw wool into beautifully woven blankets. Thus began a Faribault tradition of dyeing, carding, spinning, weaving, napping, and finishing in a single location under rigid, uniform conditions using original blanket designs. It was a strategic move which eventually would lead the company to become the nation's foremost maker of wool blankets.

Faribault Woolen Mills grew and prospered during the early and mid-1900s, and its famous brand name became a symbol of high-quality and craftsmanship. Faribault was just one of 800 mills in the central U.S. but by the mid-1990s' it was the lone survivor in what was once a thriving north central wool mill industry, a testament to the quality and craftsmanship of its fine products.

A photo of the old blanket box and ads.A NEW MILLENNIUM
Faribault Woolen Mill is now poised on the cutting edge of expansion and continued success for the new millennium. Embracing a proud heritage of expert craftsmanship, Faribault continues its position as an industry leader, introducing innovative new products, colors, and styles, while steadfastly maintaining its long heritage of quality.

Over the past several years, Faribault Woolen Mills has acquired the 'Bates of Maine' (est. 1850) bedspread name and archives. These bedspreads are known the world over for their quality and unique styling. In addition, in January of 2003 Faribault Mills expanded into cotton blankets and throws by acquiring 'Beacon Blankets' (est. 1904), located in Westminster, South Carolina. This mill has always been recognized as the finest cotton blanket mill in America.

The combined company is now known as Faribault Mills. We take great pride in saying we are a 100% 'made in America' company. We also take great pride when we hear by industry experts that we are now the best, just not the largest blanket manufacturer in the United States today. We sincerely hope you enjoy our products for years to come.