A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring lewis and mattie thornburg while observing the SIXTIETH anniversary of thorlo, the company they founded.
Whereas, THORLO was founded in 1953 by Lewis and Mattie Thornburg, who operated the business in a hand‑built building next to their family home in Statesville, North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Thornburgs started out as small subcontract knitters for other mills, notably making socks for the United States military; and
Whereas, in the 1960s, the company moved to another location in Statesville, where it still maintains offices and warehouse space; and
Whereas, in 1970, Lewis and Mattie Thornburg's son, Jim, became president of the company; and
Whereas, during his early leadership, Jim Throneburg purchased a dyeing and finishing operation, which allowed THORLO to become a fully integrated manufacturing operation; and
Whereas, a few years later, THORLO moved away from contract knitting to manufacturing finished and packaged socks for several famous brands; and
Whereas, in 1980, the company introduced the innovative athletic sock, Thorlos®; and
Whereas, in 1983, the company constructed a new 60,000‑square‑foot, state‑of‑the art manufacturing facility, allowing the company to increase its production; and
Whereas, for over 30 years, Thorlos® have been the industry standard for foot protection and comfort for sports, health, and leisure activities and is available throughout the United States and over 33 countries around the world; and
Whereas, THORLO remains one of the last 100% "Made in USA" textile brands; and
Whereas, THORLO maintains an outlet store in Statesville, which attracts thousands of people each year; and
Whereas, THORLO has been operating for 60 years, growing from knitting one military style sock to a line of over 54 patented and engineered activity specific sock products for essentially all consumer lifestyles; and
Whereas, THORLO currently employs almost 300 employees and contributes approximately $10 million in salaries and benefits per year in the greater Statesville community; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of Lewis and Mattie Thornburg for their role in founding THORLO, a company that has a tremendous impact in the textile industry.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives congratulates THORLO on its 60th anniversary.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to James "Jim" Throneburg, owner and CEO of THORLO, Inc.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.