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Faribault Woolen Mill Co. weaves new designs, stores into nearly 150-year-old story
Faribault Woolen Mill Co.
WEAVES NEW DESIGNS, STORES INTO NEARLY 150-YEAR-OLD STORY
By MICHELLE VLASAK michelle.vlasak@apgsomn.com
Operating since 1865, the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. continues to weave new products and stores into a nearly 150-year-old story.
A historic mill nestled along the Cannon River in Faribault, Faribault Woolen Mill Co. website states the mill is home to a fifth generation of craftspeople who take raw wool and create blankets, throws, scarves and accessories of high quality and comfort.
As the oldest standing manufacturer in Minnesota, Ross Widmoyer, the company’s president and chief operating officer, finds the history of the mill a unique part of its story. Other qualities that Widmoyer says makes the company unique are its great and timeless products, as well as its team members. Customers, he says, often talk about how they passed blankets down from generation to generation.
“Craftspeople of third and fourth generations are here,” said Widmoyer. “There’s a particular energy and passion present that
80
The number of employees Faribault Woolen Mill Co. has.
1892
The year the mill was built.
1865
The year the company was formed.
22
The number of steps in the manufacturing process.
makes it more than just another factory. People love this mill. That type of passion you can see reflected in the quality of our products. We are also committed to USA manufacturing.”
Sustainable fibers
Some of what the company has focused on this past year, Widmoyer says, have lead to its renaissance and led to record sales in 2020, the highest since the mill reopened in 2011.
Widmoyer says the company has been aggressive with the introduction of over 100 products, which led to much of the company’s success. From throws, bed blankets, men’s and women’s apparel, different accessories and gift items, a focus was put new product development.
Another goal was to take products directly to consumers. Last year it opened a shop in Minneapolis and the first out of state store on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. A new cataloging strategy was also put in play, sending them out to possible new customers. This month, a new store opened in downtown Excelsior. Widmoyer also hopes to open stores in Duluth and Rochester sometime this year.
The strategy, Widmoyer said, is to develop passion products and do as much as it can for its home state and hometown as has been done for the Woolen Mill Co.
Following the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody, a justice blanket was created with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “The time is always right to do what’s right.” For every blanket sold, $100 was donated to the Twin Cities United Way Fund to rebuild businesses destroyed during the ensuing civil unrest.
Resurgence and growth
New products have led to resurgence and growth, making the product development team an important part of the equation. The whole process, Widmoyer says, is truly a team effort.
The mill has partnered with several renowned Minnesota artists to create designs, including iconic Minnesota scenes and a guided wolf throw. Other unique products recently developed are map and flag throws, which speak to people’s specific passions.
While the company has had an e-commerce site for several years, it invested heavily in its look, feel and content. In the last year, the company’s e-commerce has more than doubled.
Due to a contract with the U.S. military, the mill was deemed an essential manufacturer by the U.S. Department of Defense. Because it makes blankets for the U.S. Army and Navy, every United States Academy West Point cadet and specifically for soldiers serving in Afghanistan, so production continued throughout the pandemic.
For many, the mill in Faribault is a destination spot, drawing in visitors to tour the historic mill on the Cannon. Tours recently restarted, but are limited to 10 people and are available only at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are encouraged by calling 507-412-5534.
An array of the mill’s unique products include maps of lakes and cities across the country, along with an artistic collection of throws from various artists. (Michelle Vlasak/southernminn.com)
Reach reporter Michelle Vlasak at 507-333-3128 or follow her on Twitter @apgmichelle. ©Copyright 2021 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.
BENEFITS OF WOOL
According the Faribault Woolen Mill Co the following are benefits of wool: Natural and renewable — Every year sheep grow a new fleece, making wool a renewable resource. Woolgrowers actively work to preserve natural resources for generations to Recyclable and biodegradable — Scrap and even used wool can be recycled to create new blankets and throws. And unlike synthetics, wool is biodegradable. Year-round comfort — Wool is active, reacting to changes in body temperature to keep you warm when you’re cold but releasing heat and moisture when you’re hot. Looser weaves create true summer weight woolens. Easy care — Wool fibers have a natural protective layer to resist stains. Recent innovations mean that most of our woolens can be machine washed and even dried. The memory mill
The Faribault Woolen Mill Co. website states a Faribault blanket or throw is made to last for generations. The Memory Mill is a unique digital platform that allows you to record and preserve a personal message for the next person who will receive your blanket or throw, whether it’s a gift a few days from now or a blanket you want to pass on to a loved one decades in the future. An engraved metal card with a unique serial number allows you to register your memory and, later, unlock it at MemoryMill.FaribaultMill.com.
