A DISTINGUISHED PAST; A BRIGHT FUTURE!

In the early twentieth century, brothers John S. and Robert Ambrose Moreland dreamed of leaving the back-breaking work on their farm and in the cotton mill. In 1908 they began manufacturing cotton sizing at their farm near Glendale Mill for the rapidly expanding cotton mills along the Lawson’s Fork and Pacolet Rivers in Spartanburg County, SC. The Moreland brothers and partner Samuel Calvert Thomas later decided to move closer to the city of Spartanburg. At the time of incorporation on September 16, 1924, the Moreland Size Company was located at the current location at 314 West Henry St in Spartanburg, SC.

The Moreland Size Company continued to supply sizing and softeners to the cotton mills. With the death of Samuel Thomas on July 12, 1933 and the last surviving Moreland brother, Robert on March 12, 1939, sole ownership passed into Samuel Thomas’ family. Widow Lillie Thomas became the president and her son Paul Calvert Thomas general manager. The company name was then changed to the Moreland Chemical Company. Lillie Thomas remained as president through the turbulent years of World War II with her son Paul Thomas becoming president with her retirement after the war.

In 1953, management of Moreland Chemical Company included Paul Thomas’ two sons-in-law, W. Donald Bain, Jr. and Wallace R. Irwin. A decision was made to divide the company into two divisions. The manufacturing division would remain at the Henry Street location and the distribution division would move to a more modern space near Camp Croft in Spartanburg County. In 1954 the divisions were separated into two independently operating companies. At that time Wallace Irwin became president of the manufacturing company, renamed Moretex Chemical Products, Inc. Between 1954 and the present, Moretex has had only two other presidents. Ned Lee, Wallace Irwin’s son-in-law, was president from Mr. Irwin’s death in 1989 until his death in 2003. Page Irwin Lee, Samuel Thomas’ great-granddaughter, is the current president. Family owned by the Irwin and Lee families, Moretex Chemical Products is in the rare position of 100% female ownership.

While much of the business is still devoted to supplying the textile industry, Moretex has expanded its products to supply the corrugated, cleaning and coating businesses as well. Moretex also offers custom toll blending to a varied customer base.

For 100 years Moretex has been committed to manufacturing products of the highest standards at a reasonable cost. We are proud of our distinguished past and look forward to a bright future. We would love for you to be a part of our future success!

Company reinvents itself to serve a broader market
By Trevor Anderson
Published: Sunday, March 30, 2008


Moretex Chemical Products, Inc.
314 West Henry Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone:     (864) 583-8441
Toll Free: (866) 415-1631