1888 Mills, Sapphire USA LLC, blc TEXTILES, and Cambodian Textiles Worldwide Form Joint Venture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1888 Mills, Sapphire USA LLC, blc TEXTILES, and Cambodian Textiles Worldwide Form Joint Venture to Expand Global Manufacturing and Innovation Capabilities
(Griffin, GA – Nashville, TN - Sept 12th 2025) – 1888 Mills, in partnership with Sapphire USA LLC, has entered into a joint venture with blc TEXTILES and Cambodian Textiles Worldwide (CTW) to acquire the majority of shares in blc and CTW. This collaboration brings together trusted leaders in textiles and manufacturing to create a stronger, more globally integrated platform to serve customers worldwide.
With this joint venture, the combined group now extends its global footprint to include manufacturing operations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Cambodian—complementing 1888 Mills’ and blc TEXTILES' U.S. distribution and market expertise. Together, the companies are positioned to deliver an expanded portfolio of products and categories while enhancing vertical supply chain efficiencies for customers across hospitality, retail, healthcare, and industrial markets.
“This partnership allows us to bring fresh product solutions and new verticals to our customers while strengthening the service, reliability, and innovation they already expect from us,” said Zahid Yaqub, 1888 Mills CEO. “By combining our global manufacturing capabilities with the deep expertise of blc and Sapphire, we’re creating one of the most comprehensive textile platforms in the industry.”
While 1888 Mills and blc TEXTILES' will continue to operate independently, both organizations will collaborate closely to maximize innovation, leverage shared knowledge, and deliver greater value to their respective customer bases. This alignment enhances the group’s ability to:
Broaden product offerings and enter new categories.
Strengthen manufacturing expertise across multiple countries.
Drive forward innovation in textiles, technology, and sustainable solutions.
Improve speed, efficiency, and consistency through vertical integration.
“This joint venture represents the best of each company’s strengths—customer intimacy, product innovation, manufacturing excellence, and a shared commitment to quality,” said Samantha Howington, blc TEXTILES' CEO. “We are stronger together, and we look forward to building the future of textiles in partnership.”
The collaboration underscores the companies’ long-standing dedication to customer success and positions the group to continue leading the industry with expanded capabilities, greater reach, and unmatched expertise.
About 1888 Mills:
1888 Mills®, LLC is a global manufacturer of home and commercial textiles catering to the retail, hospitality and healthcare markets worldwide. As a pioneer in global towel manufacturing, 1888 Mills operates facilities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. 1888 Mills has emerged as a leader in home and commercial manufacturing for bath, bedding, kitchen, window and commercial apparel. 1888 Mills’ Brand Purpose “Weaving a Better World™” is designed to drive innovation within the global marketplace by carrying out initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and contribute to the reduction of poverty. This is a commitment to stakeholders as well as the economic regions where they operate.
About blc TEXTILES:
blc TEXTILES is a U.S.-based distributor specializing in institutional and industrial textiles serving the commercial laundry marketplace. With more than 80 years of family-owned history, blc TEXTILES serves rental laundries, healthcare facilities, and hospitality organizations nationwide. blc TEXTILES is known for its commitment to quality, customer service, and innovative supply chain solutions that help clients operate more efficiently and profitably.
About Sapphire USA LLC:
Sapphire Textile Mills is one of South Asia’s largest and most diversified textile companies, with fully integrated operations spanning spinning, weaving, processing, apparel manufacturing, home textiles, hospitality, healthcare, and retail. With a global footprint serving leading brands and retailers, Sapphire combines decades of technical expertise with trend-driven design and innovation, and is recognized for its leadership in apparel and fabric development, commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient manufacturing, and ability to deliver at scale while maintaining the highest standards of quality, integrity, and partnership.
About Cambodian Textiles Worldwide (CTW):
Cambodian Textiles Worldwide (CTW), a wholly owned subsidiary of blc TEXTILES, is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility producing food service uniforms, workwear, healthcare apparel, and institutional textiles for the global market. Located in Phnom Penh, CTW plays a critical role in providing scalable, high-quality production with a focus on consistency, compliance, and innovation for the healthcare, food service, and industrial sectors.
Media Contact:
Lexi Schladenhauffen
CMO
1888 Mills
Email: Lschlade@1888mills.com
Phone: (815) 405-2325
