Robert Sidney Smith and Joseph Mosnier, conducted by Oral History Interview with Robert Sidney Smith, January 25, 1999. Interview I-0081. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).

Collections >> Oral Histories of the American South >> Document Menu

Oral History Interview with Robert Sidney Smith, January 25, 1999. Interview I-0081. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).

Audio with Transcript

Listen Online with Text Transcript (Requires QuickTime and JavaScript)

Transcript Only (53 p.)

HTML file

XML/TEI source file

Download Complete Audio File (MP3 format / ca. 235 MB, 02:08:26)

MP3

Abstract

Robert Sidney Smith, president and CEO of the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers, discusses the hosiery industry in North Carolina and the United States, delving into its history, present challenges, and future. Smith describes the minutiae of hosiery business, such as the development of new techniques and technologies, as well as stepping back to evaluate the place of American hosiery manufacturers in the world market and the increasing need to market products as well as produce them.

Excerpts

Smith learned values from his parents, his church, and the marines

Innovation leads to personal and company success

Lobbying in Washington

History of the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers

Consolidation of hosiery business

History of the hosiery industry

Hosiery marketing innovations

Technological innovations in hosiery manufacturing

History of the hosiery industry

Difficulty for the sock industry due to lack of innovation

A global picture of the hosiery industry

Effects of NAFTA on hosiery industry

History of unions in hosiery industry and current lack of need for them

Dealing with employees' needs

Hopes for traditional hosiery industry despite state focus on technology

Textiles' influence wanes on national level, strong on state level

Waning regional culture in North Carolina

Race was not an issue in the textile industry

Party affiliation in the post-Civil War South

Intrusive state government annoys Smith

Increased focus on marketing changes hosiery industry

Learn More

Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection

Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews

Subjects

National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers (U.S.)

Hosiery industry--United States

Hosiery workers--United States

Smith, Robert Sidney

The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts held by the Southern Historical Collection.

Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.

Return to Oral Histories of the American South Home Page

Return to Documenting the American South Home Page