Harriss & Covington was founded in 1920 in High Point, North Carolina. At the time, this part of North Carolina was considered the textile capital of the South. And that designation remained true until the 1990s when globalization opened up cheaper labor markets and nearly all the textile operations in this region relocated to overseas locations. Harriss & Covington was an exception.
Committed to remaining in the USA as a premier maker of high-quality performance socks for leading U.S. and global brands, the company’s founding families vowed to make whatever investments and sacrifices were necessary to honor that pledge.
With the fifth generation of the founders helming the operation and 250 employees strong, Harriss & Covington proudly thrives in the same town where it launched nearly a century ago, delivering high-quality performance socks to some of the most recognized brands in the world including Smartwool, Feetures, Allbirds, Sock Club, Socco and Legacy Knitting.
Julius Ward Harriss and his son-in-law W. Comer Covington incorporate Harriss - Covington Hosiery Mill, commencing operations on the second floor of a building on N. Hamilton Street in High Point, North Carolina.
Company relocates to new factory on Oak Street, ceases production of ladies’ mercerize cotton stockings. Focus exclusively on men’s socks in cotton or silk.
Sales surpass $1 million for the first time.
The majority of production shifts to the U.S. government war effort; largely cotton anklet dyed army green and black.
Pantyhose are the rage. Harriss & Covington asks a consultant if they should enter the market. “No,” they are counseled. But you must modernize for what’s coming. The company draws up plans for new, 100,000-square-foot factory on the outskirts of High Point. Construction begins.
Now servicing clients like Woolworth, JC Penney, Zayre and Thom McAn, the company expands again, building a new plant in Boonville, North Carolina.
Boonville production comes back to High Point as the industry begins seeing bigger brands and bulk business going to overseas factories.
Off-shoring shutters mills across the southeast. Harriss & Covington recognizes to survive, changes were needed. Targeting niche business, the company invests in the latest technology and restructures to be more design rich, shorten lead times, react and be nimble.
Tyler Covington, the fifth generation, joins the company. Soon followed by brothers Braden and Chris. Tyler connects with Smartwool, begins a relationship that now amounts to 600 SKUs being produced for Smartwool.
The decision to modernize, pursue niche business and elevate capabilities, technical prowess, responsiveness and research and development pays dividends as the company defies the odds and grows in spite of offshoring.
The company purchases property next door to its plant and converts the space to a distribution center to further service its customer base.
Harriss & Covington introduces direct to garment (DTG) printing. Unlike traditional textile printing methods such as heat transfer or dye sublimation, DTG printing uses specialized ink in order to print directly onto the garment giving the company the ability to print more specialized artwork, smaller runs and more customizations for customers.
COVID-19 pandemic hits the world. Harriss & Covington launched Easymasks.com in partnership with William Lawson, M.D., to help reduce infection rates and provide valuable protection.
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We have a diverse bank of single cylinder and double cylinder jacquard knitting equipment. Our core focus is single cylinder, and our machines span 108n to 200n with the vast majority being 144n. Our double cylinder machines are 144n. Over the past several years, Harriss & Covington has made significant investments in state-of-the-art knitting machines with toe closure. Nearly all our equipment is selective terry capable, allowing us to add targeted cushioning in select zones for specific applications and activities.
“We were looking for a partnership. Additionally, when I toured the facility and met the people, I got the sense of a company that wanted to innovate, they wanted to explore, they were interested in a challenge.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Fully automated, microprocessor-controlled dye equipment ensures consistency and range from smaller sample machines up to 400-pound production machinery. Dryers are also fully automated.
“The timing was good and we felt a connection right from the start, Harriss & Covington being a family business like ours. Secondly, we think alike in terms of the partnership model. We both take the long-term view. Not just an order here or there.”
Joe & John Gaither, Feetures
Combining electric heat and steam applications ensures the very best layout dimensions as specified by our customers. Every sock — children to men’s extra large sizes — is inspected post-boarding for proper size, fit, about dimensions, shade consistency and any detectable defect.
“The spirit of innovative thinking is on both sides. We go to them, they come to us. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner for us and our business. They have allowed us to innovate and that is how we stay ahead of a very competitive marketplace.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Unlike traditional textile printing methods such as heat transfer or dye sublimation, DTG printing uses specialized ink in order to print directly onto the garment giving the company the ability to print more specialized artwork, smaller runs and more customizations for customers.
“From the first meeting with Harriss & Covington, I knew there was something special about these guys. It was a like-minded business, similar in size and goals, and I always look for that. If you’re not matched up there, it won’t work. A huge company has different goals than ours, and one that is too small may not have the expertise or be able to stretch or change direction or go really fast when you need to.”
Justin Cleveland, Allbirds
High-volume multiple packs, specialized hanger packs, cardboard inserts, swiftachs, automated bagging lines, sole transfer — our packaging and folding department is equipped and experienced in every demand.
“Here we are after all this time, and Harriss & Covington still finds ways to surprise us. They are always pushing the envelope, and of course at Smartwool we do, too. We ask, ‘Can you do this?’ And they never say no.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Error-free shipping and distribution to thousands of customer-specific destinations from our state-of-the-art warehouse. The latest computerized barcoding and check-weighing technologies track and monitor made-to-order, on-demand, case stock, pick-pack orders from shelf stock and case shipments that include all types of in-store displays.
“The timing was good and we felt a connection right from the start, Harriss & Covington being a family business like ours. Secondly, we think alike in terms of the partnership model. We both take the long-term view. Not just an order here or there.”
Joe & John Gaither, Feetures
More than 150 years of collective experience fuels an R&D department outfitted with the latest CAD systems. Whether it’s developing new and exciting products or executing quick tuns on samples, Harriss & Covington’s R&D delivers for our customers.
“The spirit of innovative thinking is on both sides. We go to them, they come to us. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner for us and our business. They have allowed us to innovate and that is how we stay ahead of a very competitive marketplace.”
John Ramsey, Smartwool®
Comprehensive, military-standard methodology audits quality at every stage of manufacturing, applying a pass/fail at every point through the process. For nearly a century, Harriss & Covington’s reputation for quality has been unsurpassed.
“From the first meeting with Harriss & Covington, I knew there was something special about these guys. It was a like-minded business, similar in size and goals, and I always look for that. If you’re not matched up there, it won’t work. A huge company has different goals than ours, and one that is too small may not have the expertise or be able to stretch or change direction or go really fast when you need to.”
Justin Cleveland, Allbirds
Copyright 2005 - 2024 Harriss & Covington Hosiery Mills, Inc.