Megaproject

Industry Week

A Cotton Farm, A Made-In-The Usa Dream And A Manufacturing DilemmaAs a leader in manufacturing, I’ve always believed in the value of learning from other industries. Linens manufacturer Red Land Cotton, in particular, has reminded me of the immense power of innovation, resilience, and strong leadership. What began as a financial goal for Mark Yeager evolved into a business that exceeded the family’s wildest dreams. Cotton farming, like many agricultural endeavors, has become increasingly expensive. While the cost of farming cotton continues to rise, the price of the cotton itself has not increased enough to keep up with these escalating costs. In response, the Yeager family decided to transform their Alabama-grown cotton into finished products, leading to the creation of Red Land Cotton. Bringing a Made-in-USA Idea to Life Anna Yeager Brakefield, Mark's daughter, (pictured in main photo) graduated from Auburn University with a degree in graphic design. While she never envisioned returning to the family farm, life had other plans. After college, Anna moved to New York City, where she worked for an advertising agency. But after marrying her college sweetheart, Nick, and starting a family, Anna eventually found herself drawn back to the South, closer to the family farm where it all began. One Thanksgiving, Mark proposed an idea that would change the course of their family’s business. He suggested they create a line of cotton sheets made entirely in America. Within just one year, Anna and Mark had developed a product line, with sheets ready to ship for the holiday season. What started as a small project to make use of their own cotton quickly grew into something much larger. Today, Red Land Cotton operates under the mission to "keep the American dream alive." Over the past nine years, the company has expanded significantly, growing from a small operation in Mark’s office to a full-fledged business with a retail store, a distribution facility, and two cut-and-sew factories. What was once a modest idea to turn cotton into products has now become a symbol of American craftsmanship and entrepreneurship. Setting up Manufacturing However, as the business expanded, the cutting and sewing process became a bottleneck. A supplier in Georgia was experiencing quality control issues, and they and a supplier in Alabama were slowing down their ability to meet demand. In response, the Yeager family rented an abandoned plant in Mississippi from the local government and purchased all the machines and furniture that the previous manufacturers had left. With a substantial investment of both time and capital, they were able to bring the plant back to life. Some of the biggest challenges they faced were finding a qualified manager for the plant and dealing with a lot of quality control issues in the beginning. Managing the flow of fabric into the cut and sew so that it was consistent and steady was also a hurdle in the first three years of the plant’s initial startup. But the hard work paid off, and the production process is streamlined. Later, the family who had been running the cut-and-sew facility in Alabama decided to sell their business to Red Land Cotton. The family was ready to retire but lacked a succession plan, making the sale a natural next step. As a result, Red Land Cotton grew even further, employing 50 people and continuing to expand its footprint in the industry. Tariffs Should Help Their Business Manufacturing takes place exclusively in the U.S., so Anna believes that Red Land Cotton stands to benefit from the tariffs being placed on quality linens imported from countries like Turkey, Pakistan, and India. These tariffs will make it more difficult for foreign manufacturers to compete on price, giving American-made products an edge. As production increases, Red Land Cotton’s supply chain has become more resilient, allowing them to hire additional staff and make further investments in equipment and automation to boost efficiency. Anna is the first to admit that managing both internal personnel and vendors has been one of the most challenging aspects of her role. She believes that building a strong team around her is essential to growing the business beyond what she can accomplish on her own. Through her experiences working with both excellent and difficult leaders, Anna has developed her own leadership style. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication, taking responsibility when things don’t go as planned, and learning from mistakes to drive continuous improvement. Expanding the Business Looking ahead, Anna shares that the family’s goal is to use all the cotton they produce in American-made bedding products, further supporting the U.S. textile industry. She envisions Red Land Cotton becoming a leading brand that is synonymous with the creation of American manufacturing jobs. By revitalizing American textile manufacturing, Red Land Cotton is not just building a business—it is helping to make the American dream a reality for future generations. Through their commitment to quality, local manufacturing, and job creation, the Yeager family has proven that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to innovate, it’s possible to turn a financial challenge into a thriving, purpose-driven business. As Red Land Cotton continues to grow, it remains a shining example of what’s possible when a family comes together with a shared vision to make a lasting impact on the American economy.

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Apr 09, 2025

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