PROFILE

Gelvenor Textiles is a leading global producer of high technology industrial, technical and specialised fabrics, which are engineered for performance and reliability. We are also leaders in speciality apparel for sport and leisurewear, satins and other high performance outerwear fabrics for the protective textiles market, school wear market and corporate wear market.

Our commitment to excellence and performance has resulted in many developments of advanced fabrics for niche markets over the past few years. Customers are one of our greatest assets and we pride ourselves on the relationships we have formed with many national and international companies to produce specialised fabrics.

Gelvenor is an ISO 9001:2000 quality Management Systems and ISO 14001 Environmental Management listed company. Our success lies in our continual investment in research and technology and in an ongoing drive for the production of innovative fabrics to achieve total customer service and satisfaction.

HISTORY

Gelvenor Textiles (Pty) Ltd was established in 1965 as a weaver and dyer of continuous filament lining fabrics. In 1967 the company started producing nylon fabrics for the manufacture of parachutes and other military fabrics, mainly for the South African Defence Force.

Textured polyester weaving started in 1968 and by 1970 Gelvenor were producing a wide range of industrial base fabrics for PVC coating, woven from high tenacity Polyester yarn.

The late 1980’s and early 1990’s saw the transformation of the business away from commodity products to concentrate on fabric engineering and designing fabrics for specific niche market applications. During this period fabrics were developed mainly for the following markets:

• Corporate and school wear markets
• Filtration industry
• Scrims, fabric reinforcing and geotechnical applications
• Personal protection applications such as soft body armour and fire resistance
• Medical and cleanroom fabrics
• Military fabrics
• Sport and Leisurewear applications

In July 1998 the Anglovaal Group sold Avtex, of which Gelvenor was a division, to Da Gama Textiles. This effectively means Gelvenor is now part of the KAP Textile Group owned by Mr Claas Daun.