A family business in Griffin, Georgia
Cushion Pros is a division of American Mills, Inc., a textile manufacturing company located in Griffin, Georgia. We have been in business for over 80 years and are a 4th-generation, family-owned business. Our 120,000-square-foot facility employs over 50 people, and our team of experienced professionals is here to help you every step of the way as you create beautiful custom cushions for your home or business.
From silk yarn to a new fiber called nylon
The company was founded in 1938 by Robert Paine Shapard, Sr. and had its beginning as American Throwing Company. Its initial purpose was to throw, or twist, raw silk into yarn for use in the hosiery business. In June of 1941, an embargo was placed on all raw silk coming into the U.S. from Japan, and American Throwing Company was chosen by DuPont to experiment and develop a new yarn for use in stockings. That yarn is now known as nylon.
The war effort
When war was declared with Japan in December of 1941, all nylon being made for hosiery was frozen and used exclusively in parachutes, which put American Throwing Company out of business. R. P. Shapard, Jr. then made the decision to enter the war effort, and in February of 1942 the company was awarded a contract to produce 40 M.M. anti-aircraft projectiles — ultimately producing 25% of all 40 M.M. projectiles used during World War II.
Back to textiles — and to cushions
After the war ended in 1945, military contracts were cancelled and the decision was made to reenter the textile business as American Mills, Inc., manufacturing infant knit underwear for Sears Roebuck. That relationship lasted over forty years and grew to employ more than two thousand people, with a product line that came to include tablecloths, cushions, curtains, decorative pillows, and placemats. In the late 1980s the largest division of American Mills was sold and the remaining divisions consolidated. In 2012, American Mills, Inc. launched Cushion Pros to focus 100% of its efforts on manufacturing cushions and pillows in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Cushion Pros cushions?
We are a 4th-generation, family-owned division of American Mills, Inc. in Griffin, Georgia. Every cushion is cut and sewn in-house by our team of over 50 people.
How long has the company been in business?
American Mills, Inc. was founded in 1938. In 2012 it launched Cushion Pros to focus entirely on American-made cushions and pillows.
Design your custom cushions
Build it in 3D, watch your price update live, and we cut and sew it in Georgia.