History

Generations of Quality and Innovation

Jones Family of Companies was formed through a partnership between two brothers and today is led by a third generation committed to the standards of utmost quality and treating others the way we would like to be treated. Through the years, Jones spinning operations produced yarns for a wide variety of textile products; however, yarns for wet mopping, dry mopping, and specialty cleaning applications constituted our primary focus.

Today, the company has three distinct divisions: Jones Yarn; Jones Nonwovens; and Rontex America, which manufactures needled nonwoven textiles, particularly for transportation industries. We are headquartered in Humboldt, TN, with production facilities in Morristown, TN, Humboldt, TN, North Las Vegas, NV, and Amherst, NH. Our facilities utilize state-of-the-art fiber cleaning, processing, blending, and spinning technology to create innovative products of superior quality and the highest value.

Every product, program, and service we offer is designed to create added value for our customers. It is our desire to respond to market trends and exceed expectations for innovation in every one of our products and services.

We strive to provide a superior return on our partners’ decisions to choose Jones. Committed to introducing new product innovations and responsible manufacturing, we provide products for the bedding, furniture, packaging, acoustics, automotive, and floor care industries.

• 1923 - George Henry Jones relocates his family to Humboldt, TN, where he supervises the weaving operations of the Hunter Commission and Manufacturing Company.
• 1934 - Ralph Jones, Sr., Ted Jones, Sr., and Lloyd Adams, Sr. buy the Hunter mill on Avondale following the company’s closure and resell it to fund their new building on 14th Avenue.
• 1936 - Jones starts yarn spinning operations, producing 42,000 lbs in its first year.
• 1947 - Jones Manufacturing Company changes from a partnership to a corporation. Ralph Jones, Sr. is named its first president.
• 1951 - Needing to expand, the Avondale property is purchased again and refurbished.
• 1954 - J&J Company starts its cleaning and blending operation.
• 1954 - A plant in Vass, North Carolina is opened with Paul Jones as manager.
• 1962 - Ralph Jones, Sr. passes away, and Ted Jones, Sr. is elected president.
• 1965 - Vass, NC plant closes. A new rayon spinning facility opens in Covington, TN.
• 1972 - Ted Jones, Sr. retires, and Ralph Jones, Jr. is elected president.
• 1979 - Ralph Jones III joins the family business and expands into worldwide exports.
• 1981 - Jones Bypass plant location is purchased. Jones acquires Hogan & Associates, Inc (a cotton batting manufacturer).
• 1992 - Jones purchases a building in Milan, TN to use as a cotton warehouse, which is later expanded to include spinning operations. The company diversifies into industrial, belting, filter, glove, backing, and drawstring yarns, as well as other coarse count yawns.
• 1994 - Ralph Jones III is elected president.
• 1996 - Southern Furniture Supply in Morristown, TN is purchased, adding approximately 70% more batting capacity.
• 2007 - Morristown facility doubles in size. New facilities are started in North Las Vegas, NV, and Humboldt, TN.
• 2015 - Senior Leadership Team is created to ensure the viability of the Jones Family of Companies for generations to come. The SLT rebrands with a new logo and colors to reflect their commitment to sustainability.
• 2020 - Jones acquires Rontex America LLC (Amherst, NH) to expand its nonwoven textile capabilities for a variety of industries, including automotive and marine.
• 2022 - The Board of Directors elects Ralph Jones III as Chairman & CEO. Scott Butler is elected president, and John French joins the company as CFO. The company undertakes key initiatives to enhance the Jones mission.