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MWW Upholds Tradition While Pursuing Innovation

MWW On Demand has leveraged automation and technology to gain its position as the single largest weaving and on-demand printing company for textile-based products in the U.S. The company employs digital printing technologies for heat transfer sublimation, direct-to-garment, and direct-to-textile, and is one of the few—or perhaps the only—company that maintained a large fleet of looms when others began sending weaving offshore. The result is a vertically integrated, environmentally sustainable, on demand manufacturing operation that is a model for the future of textiles.

Monday, June 11, 2018

In 1932, during the prime of a bustling textile industry, Tom Oates founded Manual Woodworkers and Weavers (MWW). The privately-owned company, nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina, quickly established itself as an innovative force in the gift and decorative accessories industry. By the time Lemuel Oates and his wife Sandra took over Manual Woodworkers in the early 1970s, the company was more successful than ever, enjoying year-over-year demand and growth. The country motif was then in fashion and Manual Woodworkers offered products—such as braided rugs—that became nationwide hits. In 2008, Travis Oates and Molly Oates Sherrill, third generation co-owners of Manual Woodworkers and Weavers, rebranded the company as MWW, Inc.

Continuing its leadership position, the company established MWW On Demand, placing a high priority on technology investments and innovation. To learn more, we spoke with Tom Grinstead, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing.

WhatTheyThink: Tom, how long have you been with the company and how many employees are there?


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About Cary Sherburne

Cary Sherburne is a well-known author, journalist and marketing consultant whose practice is focused on marketing communications strategies for the printing and publishing industries.

Cary Sherburne is available for speaking engagements and consulting projects. To get more information contact us.

Please offer your feedback to Cary. She can be reached at [email protected].

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