Marlen Textiles
Marlen Textiles manufactures coated, laminated, and solution-dyed polyester fabrics, selling exclusively through wholesale distributors to fabricators serving marine, awning, tent, outdoor equipment, military, industrial, medical, and safety end markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersHaven, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Marlen Textiles does
Marlen Textiles is a US-based manufacturer of coated, laminated, and solution-dyed polyester fabrics, founded in 1989 and headquartered in New Haven, Missouri. The company operates microprocessor-controlled finishing lines that apply urethane, acrylic, and proprietary coating systems via dip-and-nip and knife-over-roll processes across nine heated curing rolls, with in-house laboratory testing capabilities. Its product portfolio is organized around four core families (Top Notch solution-dyed fabrics, Top Gun premium acrylic-coated fabrics, Odyssey economical lightweight fabrics, and Softouch laminated fabrics) plus topical treatments (Aqua-Tite Green water repellent, MarSolv color-transfer remover) and specialty products such as Amerglo reflective fabric. The portfolio carries multiple certifications including Berry Amendment compliance, NFPA 701, CPAI 84, MVSS-302, FAA/FAR 25.853, REACH, RoHS, California Prop 65, and PFAS-free statements.
The company sells exclusively through a wholesale distributor network with 30+ authorized US distributors, four major Canadian distributors (Jackson, Ennis Fabrics, Triden, Ace Upholstery, Challenge Sailcloth), and international distributors across the UK, Netherlands, France, Sweden, New Zealand, and Turkey. It does not sell directly to end users. End customers are fabricators who convert Marlen fabrics into finished products across nine application verticals: marine (boat covers, bimini tops, enclosures), awning and shade, tent and camping, outdoor equipment protection, military (Berry Amendment compliant), industrial, medical, safety, and glove manufacturing. The company also offers custom coating, custom laminating, and toll coating services. Marketing is conducted through industry trade shows, an educational Textile U platform, a YouTube video series, multi-channel social media, and newsletter publications.
Marlen Textiles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Marlen Textiles
- Legal name
- Marlen Textiles
- Website
- https://marlentextiles.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Marlen Textiles manufactures coated, laminated, and solution-dyed polyester fabrics, selling exclusively through wholesale distributors to fabricators serving marine, awning, tent, outdoor equipment, military, industrial, medical, and safety end markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Marlen Textiles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Textiles
- NAICS
- Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills (3133), Fabric Coating Mills (313320), Fabric Coating Mills (31332), Broadwoven Fabric Mills (313210)
- SIC
- Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Man Made Fiber & Silk (2221), Textile Mill Products (2200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coated & Laminated Base Fabric Mills (Pre-finish Substrates) (IMAOABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Coating & Finishing Chemicals Application (Resins/Softening/Water-Repellent/FR/Antimicrobial) (IMAOACAD), Coated & Laminated Industrial Fabrics (Tarpaulins/Awnings/Inflatables/Architectural Membranes) (IMAOADAI), Coated, Laminated & Membrane Fabrics (CRAAAMAF)
Keywords
Where Marlen Textiles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Haven
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Marlen Textiles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Fabric Sales through Distributors: Marlen Textiles manufactures coated, laminated, and solution dyed polyester fabrics and sells them through a network of wholesale distributors in the US, Canada, and internationally. End customers are fabricators who convert the fabrics into finished products like boat covers, awnings, and tent structures.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale fabric pricing through authorized distributors |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Marlen Textiles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Marlen Textiles manufactures coated, laminated, and solution-dyed polyester fabrics marketed under the Top Notch, Top Gun, Odyssey, and Softouch product families for outdoor, marine, awning, tent, industrial, military, and medical end uses. The company runs its own finishing lines in New Haven, Missouri, producing fabrics with proprietary acrylic and urethane coatings and proprietary topical treatments (Aqua-Tite Green, MarSolv). In addition to its branded fabric line, Marlen Textiles sells custom coating, custom laminating, and toll coating services to other textile customers.
Product overview
Marlen Textiles is a manufacturer of coated, laminated, and solution dyed polyester fabrics for outdoor and industrial applications. The company offers four main product families: Top Notch (solution dyed polyester fabrics including Top Notch, Top Notch 9, Top Notch 7, Top Notch 1S, and flame retardant Top Notch FR), Top Gun (premium acrylic coated fabrics including Top Gun, Top Gun 9, Top Gun 1S, Top Gun Vision, Top Gun FR, and Top Gun FR Lite), Odyssey (economical light weight products including Odyssey, Odyssey Lite, Odyssey Open, and Odyssey FR), and Softouch (laminated fabrics with soft non-woven backing including Softouch and Softouch SD). The company also produces topical treatments including Aqua-Tite Green water repellent and MarSolv color remover. Products are sold through an international network of wholesale distributors and are used in marine, awning, tent/camping, outdoor, safety, industrial, medical, military, and glove cuffing applications. Marlen Textiles offers custom coating, custom laminating, and toll coating services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Top Notch: 100% solution dyed polyester fabric family providing superior colorfastness, strength, abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability. Products include Top Notch (11.5 oz), Top Notch 9 (9 oz), Top Notch 7 (7 oz), Top Notch 1S (6.5 oz with clear back coat), and Top Notch FR (flame retardant version).
- Top Gun
- Odyssey
- Softouch
- Aqua-Tite Green
- MarSolv
Products and services
- Top Notch 100% solution-dyed polyester fabric (840 denier) with PFAS-Free water repellent finish; 60 inches wide, 11.5 oz/sq yard; used for marine tops, trailer covers, awnings, gazebos, canopies, and patio furniture. Sold to fabricators through wholesale distributors.
- Top Notch 9 Lightweight 100% solution-dyed polyester fabric with PFAS-Free water repellent finish; 60 inches wide, 9.0 oz/sq yard; combines strength, abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, and UV resistance.
- Top Notch 7 Lighter-weight 100% solution-dyed polyester fabric with PFAS-Free water repellent finish; 60 inches wide, 7.0 oz/sq yard; offers breathability, reversibility, water repellency, and luxurious hand.
- Top Notch 1S 100% solution-dyed polyester fabric (600 denier) with clear back coat; 60 inches wide, 7.4 oz/sq yard; provides strength, durability, water resistance, tear resistance, and dimensional stability for marine tops, covers, gazebo covers, and playground equipment.
- Top Notch FR Flame-retardant solution-dyed 100% woven polyester fabric (600 denier) with proprietary bottom coating; 60 inches wide, 11.5 oz/sq yard; certified to California State Fire Marshall, NFPA 701, CPAI 84, FAA/FAR, and CAN/ULC specifications.
- Top Gun Premium acrylic-coated 100% woven polyester fabric (600 denier) with proprietary dual-side coating for complete reversibility; 62 inches wide, 11.5 oz/sq yard; provides strength, durability, tear and abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, and UV and mildew resistance.
- Top Gun 9 Acrylic-coated 100% woven polyester fabric (450 denier); 62 inches wide, 9.0 oz/sq yard; medium weight fabric providing long-lasting durability, strength, tear and abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability.
- Top Gun 1S One-sided acrylic-coated 100% woven polyester fabric; no pigmentation on underside prevents color rub; 60 inches wide, 9.0 oz/sq yard; offers strength, durability, and dimensional stability.
- Top Gun Vision Perforated version of Top Gun acrylic-coated fabric; blocks 92% of light while allowing visibility; 11.0 oz/sq yard; ideal for roller shades, side panels, and shade screens.
- Top Gun FR Acrylic-coated 100% woven polyester flame-retardant fabric (600 denier) with dual-side coating for reversibility; 13.0 oz/sq yard, 62 inches wide; certified to California State Fire Marshall, NFPA 701, CPAI 84, CAN/ULC-S109, and FAA/FAR 25.853.
- Top Gun FR Lite Lighter-weight flame-retardant acrylic-coated 100% woven polyester fabric with dual-side coating for reversibility; 8.0 oz/sq yard, 62 inches wide; same flame certifications as Top Gun FR.
- Odyssey Acrylic-coated 100% woven polyester fabric (300 denier) with clear back coat; 64 inches wide, 6.5 oz/sq yard; lightweight, economical fabric with strength, durability, and UV resistance.
- Odyssey Lite Lightweight version of Odyssey fabric made with 150 denier greige good; very economical option suitable as one-year cover material.
- Odyssey Open Flame-retardant acrylic-coated woven polyester fabric that is breathable and allows water to pass through for quick drying; meets MVSS-302 flame resistance; available in 64 inch width; used for outdoor cushions, furniture, and hammocks.
- Odyssey FR Acrylic-coated 100% polyester woven greige good flame-retardant fabric; cost-competitive while meeting flame-retardant specifications; 64 inches wide, 7.25 oz/sq yard, 100 yard put-ups.
- Softouch Laminated polyester fabric with soft, fuzzy non-woven backer for scratch-resistant underside protection; uses Odyssey fabric laminated to special non-woven material; 60 inches wide, 11 oz/sq yard; protected by 3-year limited warranty.
- Softouch SD Laminated polyester fabric with woven, solution-dyed top side and soft non-woven backer; combines solution-dyed colorfastness with scratch-resistant protection; 60 inches wide, 11.5 oz/sq yard; protected by 5-year limited warranty.
- Aqua-Tite Green Premium grade water repellent using silicone as the active ingredient; PFAS-free formula; available in quarts, gallons, and 55-gallon drums; shelf life of at least 3 years.
- MarSolv Exclusive formulation to remove color transferred from fabrics to vinyl seating, upholstery, or gel coats; removes transferred colors caused by plasticizer migration without harming vinyl finish; available in quart bottles.
- Amerglo Reflective safety fabric with glass beads for increased visibility and reflectiveness; used in safety applications requiring flame resistance or reflectivity.
- Custom Coating Custom coating service using microprocessor-controlled finishing lines; processes include dip and nip application and knife-over-roll coating with 9 heated curing rolls; applies proprietary urethane, acrylic, and other coating systems to one or both sides of customer-supplied fabric.
- Custom Laminating Custom laminating service for bonding substrates such as non-woven backers, foams, or films to coated polyester fabrics using proprietary processes.
- Toll Coating Toll coating service where Marlen Textiles applies customer-specified coatings to customer-supplied fabrics using its finishing lines and chemist expertise.
Quantifiable outcome
- Acrylic coatings provide better cold-weather performance than vinyl coatings which tend to crack in cold temperatures
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Marlen Textiles
Customer profileSegments9 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Marlen Textiles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Marlen Textiles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
41 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- KayospruceminorAuthorized UK distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Located at 2 Cockerell Close, Segensworth West, Fareham, Hampshire P015 5SR, UK.
- Bainbridge InternationalminorUK distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Also operates US distribution operations. Located at Unit 8, Flanders Industrial Park, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2FZ, UK.
- On DeckminorAuthorized Netherlands distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Located at Leimuiderdijk 478A, 2156 MX Weteringbrug, Netherlands.
- VMG SoromapminorAuthorized France distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Located at Z.A de Beligon, 17300 Rochefort/Mer, France.
- TA FranceminorAuthorized France distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Located at ZA Keneah Nord, 56400 Plougoumelen, France.
- Aspero HandelsminorAuthorized Sweden distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Located at Traneredsvagen 112, 426 53 Vastra Frolunda, Sweden.
- QCD LimitedminorAuthorized New Zealand distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Located at 28 Hargreaves St, PO Box 47760, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Nero Foreign TrademinorAuthorized Turkey distributor for Marlen Textiles products. Located at Erciyes Isyerleri Sitesi 196.cadde No:9 Macunkoy 06105/Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey.
- Keyston BroscoreMajor US distributor with 16 warehouse locations across the country including Anaheim CA, Atlanta GA, Dallas TX, Denver CO, Fresno CA, Ft Lauderdale FL, Houston TX, Largo FL, Ontario CA, Phoenix AZ, Raleigh BC, Sacramento CA, Salt Lake City UT, San Diego CA, San Francisco CA, Seattle WA, and Toledo OH. Stocks multiple Marlen Textiles product lines including Top Gun, Top Gun 9, Top Gun FR, Top Gun FR Lite, Top Gun Vision, Odyssey, Top Notch, Top Notch 7, Top Notch 9, Top Notch 1S, Top Notch FR, and Softouch.
- Ennis FabricscoreMajor North American distributor with warehouse locations in Edmonton AB, Toronto ON, Vancouver BC, and Plainfield IN. Stocks multiple product lines and serves both English and French speaking customers. Also carries Aqua-Tite Green topical treatment.
- Fabric Supply InccoreAuthorized distributor and exclusive distributor for Top Gun Vision. Located in Minneapolis, MN. Stocks Top Gun, Top Gun Vision, and Top Gun 9 product lines.
- SailritecoreMajor authorized distributor for Top Gun, Top Gun Vision, Top Gun 1S, Odyssey, Top Notch 9, Top Notch 1S, and Top Notch 7 product lines. Located in Columbia City, IN. Also stocks Softouch products.
- Manart-HirschcoreAuthorized distributor with locations in Lynbrook, NY and Pompano Beach, FL. Stocks multiple product lines including Top Gun, Top Gun Vision, Top Notch 7, and Top Notch 1S.
- Rex Pegg FabricscoreAuthorized distributor with locations in Tacoma, WA and Phoenix, AZ. Stocks Top Gun, Top Gun Vision, Top Notch 7, and Top Notch 1S product lines.
- Miami CorpcoreMajor authorized distributor with warehouse locations in Cincinnati OH, Jacksonville FL, and Sparks (Reno) NV. Stocks Top Notch 7 and Top Notch 1S product lines.
- BainbridgecoreMajor authorized distributor with warehouse locations in Canton MA, Pompano Beach FL, and Huntington Beach CA. Stocks Top Gun Vision, Top Notch 7, and Top Notch 1S product lines.
- JacksoncoreMajor Canadian distributor with warehouse locations in Toronto ON, Winnipeg MB, Calgary AB, and Vancouver BC. Stocks Top Gun 1S product line.
- Ace UpholsteryminorCanadian distributor located in Oshawa, ON. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Active Foam ProductsminorUS distributor with warehouse locations in Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Albright SupplyminorUS distributor located in Corinth, MS. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Challenge SailclothminorDistributor with locations in South Windsor, CT and Costa Mesa, CA. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Fabric Supply InccoreUS distributor located in Minneapolis, MN. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines including Top Gun and Top Notch.
- Great Lakes FabricsminorUS distributor located in Bay City, MI. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Heartland Upholstery SupplyminorUS distributor located in Kansas City, KS. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Larry Dennis CominorUS distributor located in Fort Worth, TX. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Masco FabricsminorUS distributor located in Birmingham, AL. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- MauritzonminorUS distributor located in Chicago, IL. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Meade Distributing CominorUS distributor located in Detroit, MI. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Mesa SalesminorUS distributor located in Mesa, AZ. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Neo FabricsminorUS distributor located in New Orleans, LA. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Perfect FitminorUS distributor with warehouse locations in Portland, OR and Kent, WA. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- R & R TrimminorUS distributor located in Albuquerque, NM. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Ross Coated FabricsminorUS distributor located in Hamtramek, MI. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Royal UpholsteryminorUS distributor located in Spokane, WA. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- San Antonio UpholsteryminorUS distributor located in San Antonio, TX. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Textile CommissionminorUS distributor located in Philadelphia, PA. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- The Johnson CompanyminorUS distributor located in Lincoln Park, NJ. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Three Rivers SupplyminorUS distributor located in Pittsburgh, PA. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Top Value FabricsminorUS distributor located in Carmel, IN. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- TridenminorCanadian distributor located in Toronto, ON. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
- Wholesale USAminorUS distributor with warehouse locations in Kansas City, KS and St Louis, MO. Stocks various Marlen Textiles product lines.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Marlen Textiles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cooley Group: US manufacturer of coated and laminated technical fabrics for commercial, industrial, and military applications including tank covers, tents, and protective structures. Directly comparable to Marlen in coated industrial fabrics, Berry Amendment compliance, and military/defense end-markets.
- Serge Ferrari: French manufacturer of technical coated and laminated textiles for architecture, marine, and industrial applications. Comparable to Marlen in PVC and acrylic-coated fabric technology, international distribution model, and architectural/tensile structure end-uses.
- Seaman Corporation: Seaman Corporation manufactures coated and laminated performance fabrics (Shelter-Rite, FiberTite) for industrial, architectural, military, and marine applications. Highly comparable to Marlen in coating/laminating technology, military compliance, and architectural/membrane fabric end-uses.
- Twitchell Corporation: US manufacturer of coated and woven performance textiles including Textilene and Phifertex brands for outdoor, marine, and screening applications. Overlaps with Marlen in solution-dyed and coated polyester outdoor fabrics and similar distributor channels.
- Sattler Pro-Tex: Austrian manufacturer of technical coated textiles for architecture, marine, and industrial applications. Comparable to Marlen in acrylic-coated polyester technology, international distribution, and architectural/awning membrane end-uses.
- Dimension-Polyant: German manufacturer of high-performance sailcloth and technical textiles for marine, sports, and industrial applications. Comparable to Marlen in coated woven polyester technology and serves adjacent outdoor/industrial fabric markets globally.
- Herculite Products: US manufacturer of coated and laminated fabrics (Herculite, Recacril) for marine, awning, tent, and industrial applications. Direct competitor to Marlen in PVC and acrylic coated polyester fabrics, with similar distributor-based go-to-market.
- Challenge Sailcloth: Manufacturer of performance sailcloth and technical outdoor fabrics with US (CT, CA) and Canadian distribution. Overlaps with Marlen in coated polyester outdoor fabrics and serves the same marine canvas and outdoor equipment markets; also an authorized Marlen distributor.
- Bainbridge International: UK-based manufacturer and distributor of marine fabrics including coated polyester products. Direct competitor in marine canvas and also an authorized Marlen distributor — making it both a peer and channel partner.
Broad incumbents
- Glen Raven (Sunbrella): Glen Raven is the largest US-based performance fabric manufacturer and maker of Sunbrella, the dominant brand in marine, awning, and outdoor upholstery fabrics. Direct overlap with Marlen's marine canvas, awning, and outdoor cover applications; Sunbrella is the incumbent Marlen explicitly competes against.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Marlen Textiles social profiles
Digital presenceMarlen Textiles compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
Marlen Textiles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Marlen Textiles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Marlen Textiles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Marlen Textiles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Marlen Textiles
What does Marlen Textiles do?
Marlen Textiles manufactures coated, laminated, and solution-dyed polyester fabrics marketed under the Top Notch, Top Gun, Odyssey, and Softouch product families for outdoor, marine, awning, tent, industrial, military, and medical end uses. The company runs its own finishing lines in New Haven, Missouri, producing fabrics with proprietary acrylic and urethane coatings and proprietary topical treatments (Aqua-Tite Green, MarSolv). In addition to its branded fabric line, Marlen Textiles sells custom coating, custom laminating, and toll coating services to other textile customers.
Is Marlen Textiles a public or private company?
Marlen Textiles is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Marlen Textiles founded?
Marlen Textiles was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Marlen Textiles based?
Marlen Textiles is headquartered in Haven, United States, in the North America region.
How does Marlen Textiles make money?
One revenue line is on record: fabric Sales through Distributors.
Who are Marlen Textiles's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cooley Group, Serge Ferrari, Seaman Corporation, Twitchell Corporation, Sattler Pro-Tex, Dimension-Polyant, Herculite Products, Challenge Sailcloth and Bainbridge International. Glen Raven (Sunbrella) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Marlen Textiles have an API?
No public API is recorded for Marlen Textiles.
What industry is Marlen Textiles in?
Marlen Textiles's product category is Industrial Textiles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOABAI, Coated & Laminated Base Fabric Mills (Pre-finish Substrates), with a secondary code of IMAOACAD, Coating & Finishing Chemicals Application (Resins/Softening/Water-Repellent/FR/Antimicrobial). Its NAICS code is 3133 and its SIC code is 2221.