OPEN ENROLLMENT
Tools to navigate benefits selection
Continuing to move forward
MAKERS MEET
Inspiring customer creativity
Each of us has an important role and it will take the contribution of every associate, every team, and every division to make us successful.
Just a few weeks into the new fiscal year, I feel energized and optimistic about the future of Glen Raven ®. At our last Coffee Talk, we discussed some of the disruptions our industry is facing in the market. In the months since, we've talked a lot about the resiliency of our business and the ability of our teams to get creative and go after big goals.
Now, we’re excited to roll out four priorities for the year that I believe will shape our business well into the future. Glen Raven has always prioritized meeting our customers wherever they need us to be—and that’s exactly what these priorities are designed to do.
• Sunbrella ® Interiors represents a huge growth opportunity —and one that Glen Raven has been preparing for over the past several years. This investment has led to product innovation and the launch of this sub-brand at High Point Market this month.
• We will move even closer to our designer audience by leveraging Glen Raven’s global assets and capabilities to make our products more accessible and desirable.
• Our Protective team has been hard at work, preparing our GlenGuard ® products to meet compliance in Europe. This year we will expand GlenGuard into the European market
• Continued prioritization of Consumer Solutions Group We will focus on growth, learning how to best market and sell direct to consumers.
These are not small undertakings, and they aren’t solo endeavors. Each of us has an important role and it will take the contribution of every associate, every team, and every division to make us successful.
More than ever, I’m confident in the skill and resiliency of our team and optimistic about the future—because I’ve seen just how hard our team works to show up for each other, regardless of the circumstances.
Let’s Get After It,
Leib Oehmig, CEO
One year ago, Tropical Storm Helene swept through the Carolinas with a force none of us could have anticipated. The impact was profound—but so was the response.
As we mark this anniversary, we reflect on the extraordinary strength, tenacity, and “get-it-done” spirit that defines our Burnsville and Anderson teams. Your actions over the past year—supporting one another, uplifting your communities, and pushing forward despite adversity—are nothing short of inspiring.
There are countless stories of compassion, grit, and teamwork that emerged in the wake of the storm. These moments remind us that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship. It’s about rising together.
While the journey of recovery continues, so does our commitment. Glen Raven stands firmly beside you, today and always. We remain dedicated to meeting the needs of our associates, communities, and facilities as restoration efforts move forward. Thank you for showing us what true strength looks like.
We remain dedicated to meeting the needs of our associates, communities, and facilities as restoration efforts move forward.
Watch Leib's video message
The Consumer Solutions Group is continuing to expand its direct-to-consumer offerings with a brand new line of throws.
Sunbrella launched a new line of Signature Throws on October 7th, just in time for the fall outdoor season. “These throws are an extension of what is already working for us in the market,” said Melissa Berry, Senior Lifestyle Marketing Manager. “We’ve really leaned into indoor/outdoor uses for our throws. They are durable enough to be used outside around the firepit or at a football game, but soft enough to bring inside to curl up on the sofa.”
The throws are made of Sunbrella yarn, with all the resilience of a Sunbrella fabric. “The team designed these with mélange yarns that have a luxuriously soft hand and very clean, modern aesthetic,” said Melissa. “Team members Jasmine Melton, Anne Bushell, Elizabeth Motter, and Esther Chang worked together to produce a beautiful, cohesive collection.”
Glen Raven employees get a 40% discount on throws. Scan the QR code, log in using your Glen Raven email, and use promo code GREmployee40
In August, the Trivantage ® team welcomed more than ten workroom and upholstery professionals to Sunbrella ® HQ for The Makers Meet. This two-day event was designed to inspire creativity, foster connection, and offer business resources to these makers and designers.
“Our goal was to give potential customers a firsthand look at our capabilities, our people, and the culture that drives our work,” said Katelyn Bell, Associate Marketing Manager. “We learned that our customers are eager to peek behind the curtain and that they truly appreciated the transparency and access. It also gave us insights into what resonates most with them in our design process.”
The event launched with a Sunbrella design preview, along with a sneak peek of a new fabric line in development. Attendees also participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of our Burlington Yarn Plants, attended workshops led by industry experts, and enjoyed a variety of networking opportunities.
Jessie Lee Miller is the owner of Winston’s Workroom, a full-service drapery workroom. She especially enjoyed touring the plant. “Being able to come on site in a manufacturing facility is really a gift, because it helps me be a better advocate for the products that I'm working with,” Miller
said. “Our clients feel that we're the expert when we're talking about a window treatment or product that we're providing, so being able to talk about the technical details and say ‘I saw that manufactured’ gives us a little bit more credibility.”
For teams who are looking at producing similar events, Katelyn recommends being intentional about what you want customers to take away and consider how you might want to follow up to keep the momentum going.
“We saw many of the attendees at the Custom Workroom Conference just a few weeks later. They were raving to their peers about the event and the incredible experience.”
“Most of the attendees were prospective Trivantage customers,” said Lindsay Shakarjian, Marketing Director at Trivantage. “We believe bringing these industry professionals into our own space offers a strong introduction to our brands and is a great way to build long-term customer relationships.”
Brandon Hughes, Sunbrella Shade & Marine, leads a cleaning demonstration for the attendees.
Open enrollment at Glen Raven takes place between October 20-31 for US-based associates—which means it’s time to select your benefits for 2026. Because this year’s open enrollment is passive, your 2025 benefit elections will carry over to 2026 if you choose not to enroll. If you wish to contribute to the FSA, you must re-enroll during the open enrollment period.
“We’re excited to roll out several new tools this year that we believe will make navigating the open enrollment process easier,” said Tim Genovese, Director of Total Rewards.
This includes:
• Glen Raven Benefits Hub —By calling 833-GlenRaven (833-453-6728), associates can reach all benefits-related vendors. This is a great way to reach specific vendors for medical, dental, FSA, insurance, and 401k-related questions.
• Glen Raven Benefits Center By calling the number above and choosing Option 1, associates will have one-on-one access with a representative who can answer specific questions about enrollment, eligibility, and benefits questions. The Center is staffed Monday-Friday from 8:30am-7:00pm ET, or you can email help@mybenefitsexpress.com.
• Glen Raven Benefits Portal This is an all-new portal, available to all US-based associates that replaces the Benefits module found with UKG. The Glen Raven Benefits Portal offers video, decision tools, chat options, and more. Go to myGlenRavenBenefits.com to log in.
“The tools this year offer expanded and faster support to answer questions about benefits and open enrollment,” said Tim. “We know that understanding and choosing benefits can feel overwhelming at times and our goal is to provide support that will make those decisions feel easier to associates.”
The Sunbrella brand is currently making its way across the Atlantic, through the sponsorship of up-and-coming skipper Mathis Bourgnon. In the coming months, Mathis will undertake two ambitious adventures, and the sails of his boat, the Liliwip, will prominently feature the Sunbrella logo. The Mini Transat 2025 is a legendary race that takes place over 4,000 miles, beginning in France and ending in the Caribbean. The race began in September and will resume on October 25, after a delay due to hurricanes in the Atlantic. This is one of two major solo crossings Mathis will undertake aboard a sailboat measuring just 6.5 meters, or just over 21 feet long.
“These two extreme adventures highlight the robustness and reliability required on the high seas—values that are at the heart of Sunbrella's DNA,” said Claire Turpin, Category Manager, Materials Solutions Group- Europe. “This partnership illustrates both the brand's support for young talent and our desire to combine performance, innovation and endurance.”
Follow Mathis’ journey and see photos and videos of the sail in action.
We’re always excited to see the Glen Raven ‘heart for people’ extend beyond our company walls. Part of participating in community at Glen Raven has always meant investing back into the industry and professional groups where we work. We have a number of associates serving on community and professional boards, demonstrating both industry leadership and service.
In July, two of our team members were recognized by the Southern Textile Association at their annual meeting. Randy Blackston, Vice President of Operations, was awarded the George Abbott Membership Award for the recruitment of the most
members to the association. Todd Wemyss, Plant Manager at Norlina, was awarded the David Clark Award, which honors past presidents of the association who continue to contribute to the textile industry.
“By participating in industry organizations we strengthen the industry, but we also strengthen our company—a benefit to all parties,” said Todd. “It was a big honor to be recognized by my industry peers.”
Worldwide trade shows and exhibitions give us opportunities to showcase Sunbrella® , GlenGuard ® , Trivantage ® , and other Glen Raven brands to the trade and consumers. Here are a few of the places we've been and where we're going:
RECENT EVENTS
• Cannes Yachting Festival , Cannes, France, Sunbrella EU
• National Safety Council Congress & Expo, Denver, CO, GlenGuard
• Casual Market, Atlanta, GA, Sunbrella
• Custom Workroom Conference, Kingsport, TN, Trivantage
• International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition, Tampa, FL, Sunbrella
• Annapolis Boat Show, Annapolis, MD, Sunbrella
Top: Jessica Small, Robert Earhart, Kristie Smith, and Kelly Terrell show off their Little Pink Houses of Hope packing boxes.
Bottom: Mélanie Delehouze, Esha Macke, Camille Février, and Amélie Janin celebrate their run for the Ludopital Association.
Glen Raven associates around the world are investing in their communities by partnering with local nonprofit organizations.
In August, Burlington associates spent a lunch hour packing boxes for Little Pink Houses of Hope, an organization that serves families impacted by breast cancer. Sixty volunteers packed more than 100 boxes, which included handmade items and personal notes that will be shipped directly to women undergoing breast cancer treatment across the country.
In France, 41 team members participated in a run for the Ludopital Association, a group that raises money to support children facing long-term hospital stays. The Glen Raven Europe team will continue their support by collecting toys for the organization in the coming weeks.
Glen Raven is celebrating ‘Walktober’ with a challenge to walk at least 30 minutes each day. Whether you break your walk into shorter distances or do it all at once, 30 minutes of activity a day can decrease your risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, help fight weight gain, and improve your mental health.
In addition to the health benefits, your walk could also score you a Sunbrella bag! Submit up to five photos of yourself on your favorite walk or trail to Carrie Sheets at csheets@glenraven. com (Anderson employees, please submit your
photos to Melissa Cantrell). The best photos will be entered into a drawing on November 5th for a Glen Duffel, 1961 Tote, Andy Travel Kit, or Lille Zip Pouch.
“We want to see all the beautiful places you’re walking this year,” said Carrie. “Snapshots of you walking with your dog, at local points of interest, celebrating fall holidays—or of you walking with coworkers on a Glen Raven campus will earn you bonus entries into the drawing!”
