Cone Mills

What Cone Mills does

Cone Denim, founded in 1891 in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a B2B denim fabric manufacturer supplying premium and sustainable denim to global fashion brands, workwear companies, and independent designers. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Mexico (Parras and Yecapixtla) and China (Jiaxing), with sales and merchandising offices in Greensboro, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. Its product and technology portfolio includes proprietary dual-core stretch yarn systems (S GENE, S GENE+, ConeFlex), sustainable dyeing and finishing platforms (Distilled Indigo, COLOURizd QuantumCOLOUR, TruTone, Natural Indigo, Flash Finish ozone technology), closed-loop water systems (Zero Liquid Discharge at Parras), forensic cotton traceability (Oritain Origin Fingerprint), and recycled-fiber manufacturing up to 100% post-industrial recycled cotton. These capabilities are packaged under the Sustainblue framework and span sustainability-first sub-brands including Nothing Goes to Waste, Cone Community (mental health and forest conservation collections), and Cone Deeptone Denim (vintage reproductions). The company holds multiple industry-first designations: first denim mill globally for forensic traceability, first North American denim mill to join the CIRCULOSE Supplier Network, and first North American textile mill to achieve Kontoor Brands' Indigood Bronze Status.

The company operates a B2B enterprise sales motion, selling directly to fashion brands and apparel manufacturers through quote-based pricing that is not publicly disclosed. Distribution channels include a global field sales force, the Kingpins Show in New York, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and China, and design collaborations channeled through The Cone Collective, the Cone Community program, and Denim 101 educational engagements with universities. Revenue streams comprise hardware sales of fabric (the legacy core), professional services revenue from garment manufacturing now available through the post-acquisition combined platform, and licensing royalties from proprietary technologies including S GENE. Customer logos include Kontoor Brands (Wrangler, Lee), Mack Weldon, AMK Atelier, and a long tail of independent designers developed through The Cone Collective. In September 2025, Artistic Milliners announced the acquisition of a majority stake from Elevate Textiles, expected to close in Q1 2026, creating a new multinational denim entity operating under the Cone Denim name that adds Pakistani garment facilities, Star Fades International laundry operations in Los Angeles, and announced North Africa expansion onto the existing Mexico-China fabric base.

Cone Denim has been a portfolio brand under Elevate Textiles since the latter's restructuring, and the September 2025 Artistic Milliners transaction transfers majority ownership while Elevate Textiles retains a stake and board representation. Steve Maggard, who celebrated 30 years with the company in 2024, leads the combined entity as President. The company's commercial posture is centered on three pillars: heritage and brand recognition (130+ years, "Authentic Denim Supplier" positioning), innovation through Cone3D R&D and proprietary technologies, and verifiable sustainability evidenced by Science Based Targets validation, multiple control-union certifications (RCS, GRS, OCS), and documented water and emissions reductions across both production regions.

Name

Cone Mills

Legal name

Cone Denim LLC

Website

https://www.conedenim.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cone Denim is a heritage B2B denim manufacturer founded in 1891 supplying sustainable fabrics to global fashion and workwear brands. It operates mills in Mexico and China with US and Asian sales offices, and was majority-acquired by Artistic Milliners in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Denim Fabric Manufacturing

NAICS

Textile Product Mills (314), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (31525)

SIC

Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Cotton (2211)

akta.pro primary industry

Denim & Twill Mills (IMAOABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denim & Twill Fabrics (CRAAAMAE), Denim & Garment Wet Processing (Stone Wash/Acid Wash/Distressing) (IMAOACAI)

Keywords

• Denim fabric manufacturing
• Premium denim fabrics
• Sustainable denim production
• Recycled cotton denim
• Performance stretch denim

Headquarters

HQ city

Greensboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Denim Fabric Sales: Cone Denim manufactures and sells premium denim fabrics to fashion brands, apparel manufacturers, and designers worldwide. Revenue is generated through direct sales relationships with enterprise customers requiring consistent, high-volume fabric supply.
2. Garment Manufacturing Services: Following the Artistic Milliners acquisition, Cone Denim now offers fully vertical end-to-end solutions from premium denim fabric to expertly finished garments through its expanded manufacturing platform.
3. Technology Licensing: Cone Denim licenses its proprietary technologies including S GENE stretch technology to other manufacturers and brands seeking advanced denim performance characteristics.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cone Denim manufactures and sells premium denim fabrics to fashion brands, apparel manufacturers, workwear companies, and designers worldwide. Its portfolio spans sustainable denim collections (Sustainblue), performance stretch denim, selvage denim, recycled and organic cotton denim, hemp denim, and specialized dye technologies. Following the September 2025 Artistic Milliners acquisition, the company also offers vertically integrated fabric-to-garment manufacturing services through facilities in Mexico and China.

Product overview

Cone Denim is a leading denim mill offering a comprehensive portfolio of denim fabrics and manufacturing capabilities. The core product is Sustainblue, an environmentally friendly start-to-finish approach for responsible denim manufacturing. The portfolio includes Performance, Stretch, Selvage, and Distilled Indigo denim collections, complemented by proprietary stretch technologies (S Gene, S Gene+, ConeFlex), sustainable manufacturing processes (Zero Liquid Discharge, Flash Finish ozone technology), and traceability services (Oritain forensic verification). Specialty collections include the Nothing Goes to Waste zero-waste designs and Cone Community collections supporting mental health and forest conservation causes. Products are crafted through the Cone 3D R&D incubator with manufacturing capabilities in Mexico and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sustainblue: Environmentally friendly start-to-finish approach for making responsible denim fabrics representing the highest standards in responsible manufacturing.
• Distilled Indigo
• S GENE
• Cone Deeptone Denim
• Cone3D
• Cone Community
• Flash Finish
• ConeFlex

Products and services

• Sustainblue Denim Collection
• Performance Denim Fabrics
• Selvage Denim / Cone Deeptone Denim
• Distilled Indigo Denim Collection
• Recycled Cotton Denim
• Organic Cotton Denim
• Hemp Denim Collection
• Nothing Goes to Waste Collection
• Cone Community – Mental Health Collection
• Cone Community – Forest Conservation Collection
• Oritain Forensic Cotton Traceability Service
• Garment Manufacturing Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% water savings with Flash Finish technology
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Artistic MillinerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025Artistic Milliners acquired majority stake in Cone Denim from Elevate Textiles. New multinational entity operates under Cone Denim name, combining assets from both organizations including Pakistan operations, Mexico facilities, and Star Fades International.
• Elevate TextilescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025Former parent company of Cone Denim. Transaction completed September 2025 with Artistic Milliners acquiring majority stake. Elevate Textiles retains ownership stake and board representation.
• The Cone Collective (Designer Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Launched The Cone Collective as a virtual hub for cross collaborations with designers and students. Includes brand ambassador program, fabric sponsorships, and Denim 101 education.
• COLOURizd LLCcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 April 2024Partnership to introduce COLOURizd QuantumCOLOUR technology for sustainable textile coloration. Achieves 50% energy reduction, 73% carbon footprint reduction, and 98% water reduction compared to conventional dyeing.
• Re:NewCell (CIRCULOSE)coreTechnology or Integration · 10 August 2023Cone Denim became the first denim mill in North America to join the CIRCULOSE Supplier Network. CIRCULOSE is a next-generation raw material derived from worn-out clothing transformed into dissolving pulp from 100% recycled textiles for regenerated fibers.
• Accelerating CircularitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Cone Denim has been actively participating as one of the U.S. trial partners for Accelerating Circularity, a nonprofit that catalyzes new circular supply chains to turn spent textiles into mainstream raw materials.
• TonellocoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2021Partnership with Italian wash innovators Tonello for sustainable garment finishing technologies. Multiple collaborative collections including The Very Best of Times and One Denim.
• Miles JohnsonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2021Collaboration with denim design consultant Miles Johnson on The Very Best of Times sustainable collection featuring natural indigo, organic cotton, recycled cotton, and hemp.
• JeanologiacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Partnership with Jeanologia for sustainable wash innovations using G2 Dynamic ozone system, laser finishing, and eco-garment washing techniques. Multiple collaborative collections developed.
• Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Cone Denim sources Better Cotton Initiative cotton through BCI, the largest cotton sustainability program globally focused on farming, environment, and human well-being.
• Unifi (REPREVE)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Partnership with Unifi for REPREVE recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles. Cone Denim is recognized as REPREVE Champion of Sustainability.
• Lenzing (TENCEL)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Incorporation of TENCEL, MODAL, and TENCEL x REFIBRA blends into Sustainblue collection. 100% biodegradable fibers from sustainably sourced wood.
• Control UnioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Third-party certification body for RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) and OCS (Organic Content Standard) certifications. Audits supply chain annually.
• Rainforest AllianceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership through Cone Community Forest Conservation collection. Portion of fabric sales donated to support forest conservation efforts.
• OritaincoreTechnology or Integration · 21 September 2020Cone Denim was the first denim mill globally to use Oritain's forensic science traceability technology to detect trace elements in cotton's intrinsic properties to verify origin. Creates an Origin Fingerprint that cannot be tampered with or replicated, providing court-admissible verification of cotton sourcing. Partnership extended in 2023 for industry-leading traceability.
• Textile ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Cone Denim joined Textile Exchange to partner more closely with customers, suppliers, and industry stakeholders on development of preferred materials and reduction of adverse supply chain impacts.
• US Cotton Trust ProtocolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Cone Denim is a member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, bringing quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to sustainable cotton production while driving continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics.
• Child Mind InstituteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership through Cone Community Mental Health Awareness collection. Portion of sales donated to support children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
• Kingpins ShowcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Regular participation in Kingpins shows in New York, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and China. Multiple collaborative collections developed through One Denim project.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ISKO: ISKO is one of the world's largest denim fabric mills, headquartered in Turkey with global operations. Directly comparable to Cone Denim as a premium woven denim mill supplying major apparel brands with sustainability-certified fabrics and proprietary stretch/finishing technologies.
• Candiani Denim: Italian premium denim mill known for selvedge, sustainable, and proprietary technologies (e.g., Candiani Re-Gen). Directly competes with Cone Denim in the premium fabric segment serving heritage and designer denim brands with sustainability credentials.
• Artistic Milliners: Pakistan-based vertically integrated denim manufacturer that acquired a majority stake in Cone Denim in September 2025. Comparable as a global denim mill operator with manufacturing in multiple geographies and a strong sustainability and innovation program.
• Orta Anadolu: Major Turkish denim mill producing ~50M meters annually, serving leading global apparel brands. Closely comparable to Cone Denim as a large-scale cotton-based denim fabric producer with sustainability programs and proprietary fabric technologies.
• Soorty: Pakistan-based vertically integrated denim mill and garment manufacturer. Comparable to Cone Denim as a denim fabric supplier serving premium and mass-market denim brands, with growing sustainability and vertical-integration capabilities.
• Calik Denim: Turkish denim mill owned by Calik Holding, producing premium and sustainable denim fabrics. Directly competes with Cone Denim in the global premium denim fabric market with proprietary technologies and sustainability-led collections.
• Bossa: Turkish denim fabric and garment manufacturer with vertically integrated operations. Comparable to Cone Denim as a major denim mill serving international apparel brands, with a focus on sustainable and recycled cotton innovations.
• Prosperity Textile: China-based denim mill supplying global apparel brands with conventional and sustainable denim fabrics. Comparable to Cone Denim as a major Asian denim fabric producer competing in the same B2B premium and mid-tier denim markets.

Others

• Kontoor Brands: U.S.-based owner of Wrangler and Lee denim brands, listed as a select Cone Denim customer. Comparable as a major downstream denim stakeholder operating the Indigood program that rewards mills like Cone for freshwater savings.

Emerging players

• Saitex International: Vietnam-based sustainable denim manufacturer operating the most sustainable denim mill globally with on-site solar and recycling. Comparable to Cone Denim as a newer entrant in the sustainability-verified denim mill segment, increasingly competing for the same eco-conscious brand contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/conedenimitg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conedenim
• Instagraminstagram.com/conedenim

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cone Mills