Our Process

Johnson Woolen Mills understands the meaning of no waste. Every piece of wool, every stitch, every string and every shipping pallet had a value for the factory, it’s customers or the staff.

From the very first day of operation, nearly 200 years ago, Johnson Woolen Mills understood the meaning of no waste. Every piece of wool, every stitch, every string and every shipping pallet had a value for the factory, it’s customers or the staff. On the production line, a garment starts at one end of a room the size of a football field and is passes up the line of woolen and tailoring specialists, each of them bringing special talents to the construction of Johnson Woolen Mill products, while paying close attention not to waste a single piece of fabric. “We have our own way of cutting and sewing garments and a lot of people would like to know exactly how we do it”, said Del Barrows, the mills third generation owner.

While many companies find themselves changing processes to help the environment, Johnson Woolen Mills uses time tested traditions of frugality and good business sense to be sure nothing is wasted at the mill. Material extras are used for mittens, fanny packs, flasks, wool rugs and other accessories, additional materials are sourced to local “cottage-industry” tailors and owners that freelance for the mill from their homes. The small scraps that are left over are bagged and carefully marked to be recycled, garneted and reused for woolen fabric, yarn or insulating products the world over.