History
A commitment to product innovation since 1817
The Atkins & Pearce story begins in 1817 with the company’s founders, John and Henry Pearce, two artists with an entrepreneurial spirit and an eye for invention. They devised an adaptation of the cotton gin and were so pleased with it they decided to manufacture it that same year.
Today, the company explores the structural properties of textiles (strength, flexibility, heat resistance, etc) for new applications to provide a wider range of products. High performance technical textiles can now be designed to provide cost competitive solutions to steel cable that are stronger and less elastic.
The innovative spirit of Atkins & Pearce’s founders, John and Henry, lives as we continue to redefine how the structure of braid can be adapted to solve an infinite range of problems.
The History of Atkins and Pearce
1817: John and Henry Pearce devise an adaptation of the cotton gin and start their own company in Cincinnati, manufacturing cotton machinery.
1820’s: John & Henry Pearce establish the first cotton mill west of the Alleghenies after receiving payments in cotton from companies in the South and having no means of disposing of it.
1830’s: Henry Pearce comes over from England bringing his expertise in spinning and enabling the company to convert raw cotton into cloth. The company introduces its first braided product: candle wicking.
1840’s: The “Columbian Spinster” was built by John & Thomas Pearce. An estimated 3,000 of these were purchased at $130 each and used in the South on plantations before the Civil War.
1861: The Civil War halts all trade in the South. Henry's cotton expertise changes the direction of the company from the machine business to the processing of cotton at its factory on the corner of Eggleston Ave. and Fifth St.
1875: Over 10,000 spindles are in operation, processing a complete line of yarns.
1942: A&P manufactures parachute cords and other cotton goods used in the War effort, increasing operation to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1950’s: A&P pioneers the textile processing of glass fiber.
1965: A&P moves to the corner of Pearl and Pike Streets.
1986: A&P moves to a new 260,000 square-foot facility in Covington with over 6,000 individual braiding machines and over 10,000 pieces of yarn processing and support equipment.
2000: A&P again expands to 470,000 square feet of modern manufacturing and office space.
2004: Atkins & Pearce opens a representative office in Shanghai, China.
2008: A&P expands for the third time adding 50,000 square feet bringing the total manufacturing and office space to 520,000 square feet.