Brittany Dyeing & Printing Corp.

Brittany Dyeing and Printing, a worldwide leader in textile dyeing, printing, and finishing is one of the largest, most innovative printers of United States military camouflage for the armed forces. For over 70 years Brittany has led the way for textile dyers and printers around the world, developing new techniques that are both environmentally sound and technologically advanced. A second-generation business, Brittany Dyeing and Printing Corporation is proud of its reputation for innovation, quality and attention to the needs of its customers. HISTORY: Brittany's founder, George Joblon, began his career working as a colorist for a New York textile printing plant while studying nights at the Pratt Institute. During the 1930's, color matching relied on the creativity and precision of colorists to formulate specific shades. It wasn't long before Mr. Joblon became one of the most respected colorists in the United States. When he learned of a small mill for sale in 1939, Mr. Joblon invested $300 to open Normandy Print Works, a fabric printing business in Fall River, Massachusetts. Normandy Print Works began printing fabrics using only hand screens on small tables. During the 1940's, Normandy's reputation for ingenuity, quality and reliability drove them to become the largest hand-screen printing company in the country resulting in their expansion and relocation to their present facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Also during this period, development and design of camouflage prints for the World War II effort began as well as production of other items such as flags, draperies, scarves, ties and women's apparel. The business also expanded into fabric dyeing and finishing. In the 1950's, Normandy purchased roller printing equipment and developed a special dyeing and printing process for acetate knits. In 1959 Normandy changed its name to Brittany Dyeing & Printing Corporation. Brittany's wash-and-wear finish for silk fabric was developed in the 1960's and Brittany became one of the first companies in the United States to purchase the Johannes Zimmer automatic flat screen printing machine. George's son, Kenneth, joined the company as an executive trainee in 1968. The 1970's saw the installation of rotary printing machines and Brittany expanded its production to provide volume merchandise to large wholesale distributors. In collaboration with DuPont, Brittany developed the process for printing Qiana, a synthetic silk. In 1979, Kenneth Joblon assumed the position of president and chief executive officer. With the addition of state-of-the-art technology and computerization, printing capacity increased and Brittany became one of the largest printers of cotton and cotton blend fabrics in the United States and received worldwide recognition as a leader in textile printing and dyeing.