Cutting-Edge Flex Factory to Honor Textile Titan, W. Duke Kimbrell ’49

Fueled by a vision for industry transformation, the brand-new W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory will serve as a cutting-edge global hub for textile innovation and entrepreneurship.

Named in honor of the late W. Duke Kimbrell ’49, a pioneering textile leader of the 20th century, the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory will soon serve as a world-class center for advancing textile innovation and fostering entrepreneurial growth.

Slated for construction in 2025 on NC State’s Centennial Campus, this state-of-the-art facility will offer a unique environment for rapid prototyping, product development and hands-on learning, all while embodying the forward-thinking approach to textiles that defined its namesake.

The buzz of creativity on the horizon is palpable.

Wilson College of Textiles students, staff and faculty will collaborate directly with industry professionals and startups to conduct research, refine designs and bring ideas to life. The 17,000-square-foot factory will also house the Senior Design capstone program, connecting seniors in the college’s textile engineering and textile technology programs with industry sponsors to tackle pressing real-world challenges.

We are deeply grateful for the Kimbrell family’s unwavering support and their trust in the Wilson College of Textiles. The W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory represents a bridge between Duke’s entrepreneurial spirit and the future of our industry.

The W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory will come to life with high-tech classrooms, collaborative spaces and a unique prototyping area equipped with continually updated, state-of-the-art equipment from effluent-free yarn dyeing to body scanners, 3D printers and more.

“We are deeply grateful for the Kimbrell family’s unwavering support and their trust in the Wilson College of Textiles,” says David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles. “The W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory is more than just a name; it represents a bridge between Duke’s entrepreneurial spirit and the future of our industry. This facility will empower all of NC State’s students, faculty, alumni and industry partners to push the boundaries of textile innovation and sustainability.”

Continuing Kimbrell’s legacy of generosity and impact

Kimbrell’s remarkable journey from a 14-year-old employee sweeping the floors at Parkdale Mills, Incorporated, to being named one of the most influential textile executives of the 20th century is a story of his lifelong dedication to excellence. 

Throughout his prolific career, Kimbrell proudly credited his 1949 bachelor’s degree in textiles from the Wilson College of Textiles — then known as the School of Textiles — for laying the foundation for his trailblazing path.

Under his leadership, Parkdale Mills, Incorporated grew from a single mill with 200 employees to a giant in the textile industry with 26 plants, over 5,000 workers and $1 billion in annual sales. His legacy of innovation and leadership continues to inspire new generations at his alma mater, making the naming of the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory a fitting tribute.

We’re grateful to Dean Hinks and the Wilson College of Textiles for honoring (Duke) in this way. This facility will be a place where new ideas are born, perfectly reflecting his core values: ingenuity, collaboration, and education.

Kimbrell’s grandson, Davis Warlick, who serves as the executive vice president of Parkdale Mills, Incorporated, speaks passionately about the significance of the naming. 

“Duke believed deeply in the power of innovation to drive the textile industry forward,” Warlick shares. “We’re grateful to Dean Hinks and the Wilson College of Textiles for honoring him in this way. This facility will be a place where new ideas are born, perfectly reflecting his core values: ingenuity, collaboration, and education.”

The naming gift is a continuation of a legacy built on generosity and foresight from Kimbrell himself, the W. Duke Kimbrell Family Foundation and his loving family. 

“We are proud to support this school and industry, alongside many others who continuously champion its mission to shape the future of textiles,” Warlick says. “This facility is an investment in the next generation of textile leaders.”

Its impact is further strengthened by the previously established W. Duke Kimbrell Centennial Scholarship and Kimbrell Scholarship. These two funds, dedicated to supporting students from North Carolina, especially Gaston County, have provided life-changing scholarships to over 73 textiles students at NC State.

“W. Duke Kimbrell’s commitment to education through his scholarship endowments is a testament to his belief in the potential of our students,” says Michael Ward, executive director of the North Carolina Textile Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Wilson College. “This support not only opens doors for aspiring textile professionals but also lays a strong foundation for sustainable growth within our local textile communities. His extraordinary legacy will only continue to grow with the naming of the Flex Factory.” 

It comes as no surprise, then, that the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory perfectly aligns with the mission of the W. Duke Kimbrell Family Foundation: to support projects that create sustainable and positive impact within local textile communities.

W. Duke Kimbrell’s commitment to education through his scholarship endowments is a testament to his belief in the potential of our students. His extraordinary legacy will only continue to grow with the naming of the Flex Factory.

The W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory is designed to be highly adaptable, allowing for a wide range of textile applications, from sustainable materials and smart fabrics to advanced manufacturing techniques. This flexibility will provide endless opportunities for students to gain practical experience and for industry partners to explore the future of textiles.

“NC State always held a special place in Duke Kimbrell’s heart,” Warlick shares. “Advancing the United States textile industry and supporting his alma mater were central to his life. We couldn’t think of a better investment that aligns with the passions dear to him.”

To further highlight Kimbrell’s lasting influence on the textile sector, he has been recognized in a variety of ways during his lifetime, including by:

NC State

• Receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Wilson College of Textiles in 1991
• Receiving the university’s Watauga Medal, the highest non-academic honor bestowed by NC State, in 1995
• Being awarded an honorary doctoral degree from NC State in 2005

North Carolina

• Being awarded an honorary degree from UNC Charlotte in 1993
• Being inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame in 2001
• Receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the state’s highest honors, in 2003

American and Global Organizations

• Being inducted into the American Textile Hall of Fame in 2004
• The Textile World magazine ranked him the second most influential textile executive in the 20th century, named him the Leader of the Year in 1991 and honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997

A hub for textile innovation

Once its doors officially open in 2026, the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory will not just be a workplace. Individuals will innovate, collaborate and bring ideas to market faster — fostering rapid development and growth within the global textile industry. 

“The W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory will be the world’s leading makerspace for textile and fiber-based innovation, offering every member of the NC State community the chance to bring their textile-based entrepreneurial ideas to life,” says Dean Hinks. “NC State is one of the top three public universities for all metrics of innovation. This space will be a powerful catalyst for advancing NC State’s entrepreneurship ecosystem through textiles — a true testament to the visionary legacy of W. Duke Kimbrell.”

The factory’s Prototype Lab, which opened in the summer of 2023, already allows entrepreneurs and established companies to test textile products using state-of-the-art textile processing and cut-and-sew equipment, drastically reducing production timelines.

Warlick emphasizes the importance of this game-changing capability.

“I envision the future of the textile industry being shaped by those committed to investing in innovation, automation and workforce development while remaining agile to changes in consumer demands globally,” he says. 

As the Wilson College of Textiles celebrates its 125th anniversary, it’s clear that the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory will play a critical role in fostering a future ecosystem that supports education and entrepreneurship.

Warlick’s words capture the spirit of this endeavor: “The gift to the Flex Factory allows us to champion innovation in the textile industry for generations to come.”