U.S.-based global cotton company, Barnhardt Manufacturing, announced today Mark Dobbins has joined the company as plant manager of Charlotte operations.
 
“It’s the right person in the right place at the right time,” says Lewis Barnhardt, president and COO of Barnhardt. “Mark has the kind of background in Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing techniques that are an exact fit for our overall growth plan. His production, process, and plant safety experience will help us lead a continued process of change and growth.” Barnhardt adds, “His years working with cotton—as a producer of Q-Tips for Unilever—give him a real head start working with us.”
 
Dobbins says joining Barnhardt is something he considers a major milestone in his professional career. “ [Barnhardt’s] reputation for the highest quality cotton product manufacturing and cotton innovation is legendary. They aren’t called the ‘First Family of American Cotton’ for nothing. But, what I find most attractive is that they are a 116 year-old business operating with Deming’s lead don’t manage, and kaizen, or continuous improvement, principles. Not many old-line companies have made it their culture so successfully like Barnhardt. They live and breathe change and improvement and that shows in their products. I believe my long career has been leading up to being here.”
 
Barnhardt says Dobbins will focus on quality management and process improvement for the company’s lead Charlotte plant. Dobbins comes from B&W Fiber Glass where he served as plant manager. Prior to that he worked with Zagis, USA, US Cotton, Parkdale Mills and Burlington Fabrics.