American Textile Company a leading supplier of mattress and pillow protectors, bed pillows and mattress pads, who has helped people lead healthier lives with products designed to improve quality of sleep with its innovative sleep solution since 1925 has started working on expansion plant at its Tifton facility.

American Textile Company is growing well ahead of plan at its Tifton operation in just three years after opening with 100 employees, the company said. It is one of four U.S. plants for the company, in addition to operations in China and El Salvador. Tifton's strategic location 180 miles south of Atlanta provides efficient access to key regional and national customers.

It has begun construction on an expanded manufacturing center and distribution facility in Tifton, Georgia. The expansion project will bring its total space to over 400,000 square feet and double the workforce over the next five years.

The Tifton facility produces and distributes millions of bed pillows annually. Consumer demand for the company's growing portfolio of specialty bedding products has enabled American Textile to grow by about 15 percent annually, the company said. Originally, the company projected to have 120 employees in the Tifton plant by 2016. It has exceeded those projections by 40 percent—two years early—and will employ 200 workers when the expansion is complete.

Lance Ruttenberg, President and CEO of Pennsylvania-based American Textile said that their expansion so soon after opening is fueled in part by consumer demand for their AllerEase allergen barrier and EvenTemp temperature regulation bedding products, but also by the positive business climate they have seen in Tifton. Access to a skilled workforce and strong county support are the key factors in choosing to expand here.

Moreover, Tifton has been an integral part of the company’s growth but perhaps most importantly, they enjoy doing business there. It's a great place to make investments that create jobs and contribute to the quality of life in the community. The hospitality, friendliness and charm complement the business dynamics.

According to Brian Marlowe, Chairman of the Tifton-Tift County Development Authority, American Textile has been an outstanding partner in their community. Whenever an existing industry decides to expand, it represents a commitment to their area and an acknowledgement that they are doing the right things to promote growth and success. They are excited over the expansion of American Textile.