blc TEXTILES Names Jonathan Simon Chief Executive Officer

Published On: September 24, 2026

NASHVILLE, TN, September 24, 2026 — blc TEXTILES, a supplier of textile products to commercial laundries, healthcare organizations, hospitality businesses, and textile service providers, today announced that Jon Simon has joined the company as Chief Executive Officer.

Simon joins blc one year after 1888 Mills, in partnership with Sapphire USA LLC, acquired a majority stake in blc TEXTILES and its Cambodian manufacturing subsidiary, Cambodian Textiles Worldwide (CTW). He will lead blc as it builds on that partnership, drawing on the group’s manufacturing in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Cambodia to broaden its product offering and strengthen supply for its customers.

Simon spent 37 years building 1888 Mills, beginning with its predecessor companies, Eastern Imports and Shelnor Mills. He served as President beginning in 1989, became President and CEO in 2005, and led the company through 2020 before joining its board. Most recently, he was Executive Vice President of Global Growth & Strategy at Standard Textile.

“blc has built its reputation on consistent quality and on products that deliver value over their full life, not just on the day they’re purchased,” said Simon. “For a laundry, a hospital, or a hotel, the real cost of a textile is measured over hundreds of wash cycles. With blc’s own manufacturing in Cambodia and the strength of our partners at 1888 Mills and Sapphire, we can build on that reputation and bring it to more products and more customers.”

“Jon knows this business and these manufacturing operations as well as anyone. He’s the right leader to turn this partnership into results for blc’s customers. With years of industry expertise, Jon ensures that our focus remains exactly where it belongs: on our clients,” said Adil Rashid, Executive Chairman of blc TEXTILES and Cambodian Textiles Worldwide.

Simon holds a B.S. from Indiana University and completed the Advanced Management Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

About blc TEXTILES

Founded in 1936 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, blc TEXTILES supplies textile products to commercial laundries, healthcare organizations, hospitality businesses, and textile service providers. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Cambodian Textiles Worldwide (CTW), operates a manufacturing facility in Phnom Penh. blc is majority owned by a joint venture of 1888 Mills and Sapphire USA LLC. Learn more at https://www.blctextiles.com.

Media Contact

Steve Cooker
blc TEXTILES
Email: scooker@blctextiles.com
Phone: 844-500-7900
Website: https://www.blctextiles.com
Headquarters: 8150 Sawyer Brown Rd, Nashville, TN 37221

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