Pendleton Woolen Mills

Pendleton Woolen Mills is an American woollen manufacturer and apparel brand founded in 1863 in Oregon by English weaver Thomas Kay. Headquartered in Portland, the family-owned company is known for wool blankets, fabrics and clothing made in its own mills.

What is Pendleton Woolen Mills?

Pendleton Woolen Mills is a privately held, sixth-generation family business based in Portland, Oregon. It is one of the best-known names in American wool, producing blankets, bedding, fabrics and apparel.

History

The company's roots go back to 1863, when English weaver Thomas Kay began making woollen goods in Oregon. In 1876 his daughter Fannie married C.P. Bishop, bringing retail experience into the family. The Pendleton, Oregon mill opened in 1909, and a weaving mill in Washougal, Washington, was acquired in 1912; both remain in operation.

Products and positioning

Pendleton is vertically integrated, controlling production from the purchase of raw wool to the finished product in its own mills. The range includes:

• Wool blankets and bedding
• Apparel fabrics, including the brand's wool shirts
• Fabrics for home and upholstery

Distribution

The company owns more than 30 stores in the United States and sells through specialty and department stores, catalogues and its own website. Its products are also available in Europe, Japan, Canada and Australia.

Why it matters

Pendleton is a rare example of a heritage textile company that still spins and weaves in its own American mills, making it a reference point for vertically integrated, made-in-USA production.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Pendleton Woolen Mills from?

Pendleton Woolen Mills is from Oregon in the United States and is headquartered in Portland.

Who founded Pendleton Woolen Mills?

The company traces its origins to English weaver Thomas Kay, who began making woollen products in Oregon in 1863.

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