The #1 Talent Need in Textiles Today: High-Impact Sales Leaders

textile sales talent

Growth Is Back on the Agenda  For much of the last decade, textile and nonwoven manufacturers have operated in a state of constant adjustment. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, inflationary pressures, and shifting trade dynamics required leaders to focus on resilience above all else.  Today, a different conversation is emerging.  Across the textile, apparel, and nonwoven sectors, companies are…

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The #2 Talent Need in Textiles Today: Product Innovation Leaders 

textile product innovation

Innovation Has Moved Beyond the R&D Department  Innovation has always been a defining characteristic of the textile industry.  Yet the nature of innovation is changing.  Historically, product development was often viewed as a specialized function operating independently from commercial strategy. Today, growth-minded organizations are integrating innovation directly into their business planning and others parts of the company.  As companies pursue new…

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Technical Expertise Isn’t Enough: The Human Skills Defining Textile Industry Leadership

Textile Industry Leadership

The Industry’s Talent Requirements Are Changing  The textile and nonwoven industries have always valued technical expertise.  Whether working with fibers, advanced materials, nonwovens, composites, or manufacturing technologies, specialized knowledge remains fundamental to success.  But many organizations are discovering that technical capability alone no longer guarantees leadership effectiveness.  As businesses pursue growth initiatives, enter new markets, and navigate increasingly…

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How to Choose the Right Textile Recruiter in the AI Era: 7 Questions That Actually Predict Results in 2026 

How to Choose the Right Textile Recruiter in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence has changed how decisions begin. It has not changed how they should be made.  A textile products company or apparel brand can now ask a single question and receive an immediate answer on which recruiter to engage. The response is structured and efficient. It creates a sense of clarity before any real evaluation has taken place.  In…

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Coley Company Celebrates 10 Years

May 2020 marks the 10th year of Coley Company, an executive search firm for apparel, textile, and nonwoven product companies. Prior to the start of Coley Company, Denise Davis worked with me at Adkins and Associates for over eleven years. As I thought about starting a search firm, it could only happen with Denise on…

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