Crypton, a revolutionary new process for manufacturing stain-resistant, water-repellent fabric, is now being produced in a refurbished Kings Mountain plant by Michigan-based Hi-Tex, Inc.

The $5 million investment already employs 26 in a former Sara Lee Corp. packaging and distribution plant in Kings Mountain Industrial Park. The owners, Randy and Craig Rubin, hope to double production and increase employment to 40 in a year or so.

Kryptonite is the only thing that could stop Superman, and Crypton SuperFabric will stop virtually any liquid from staining treated textiles. The product was literally developed in the basement of the Rubin's home just nine years ago, and already has become the standard for contract applications such as fast-food and hotel restaurants. Not only does it protect fabric, but it also allows it to breathe, unlike old-technology vinyl backing which was notorious for peeling off.

The Rubins' first big customer was McDonald's, whose design team specified Crypton SuperFabric for their restaurants worldwide. Hilton Hotels, Marriott, Hyatt, Disney properties and other major brands quickly followed. To date more than 16 million yards of Crypton have been installed globally. In spring 2001, the SuperFabric was launched in the residential marketplace through distributors Robert Allen, Duralee and Kravett.

"Our goal is to make Crypton a household word," said Randy Rubin, a dynamic marketing and advertising professional who knew how to promote a new brand and has driven its rapid acceptance. In addition to fabric which they treat and sell, Hi-Tex also licenses its technology to Valdese Weavers and processes fabrics made by Burlington and other big names. Hi-Tex expects to report $70 million in upholstery fabric sales during 2001.

A new-technology textile business in Gaston County has been greeted as a godsend by many local people, since many local traditional textile jobs have been lost. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel for textiles in Gaston County," said Heath Jenkins, chairman of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners.

Until this year, the Rubins have been producing their fabrics in a small mid-state South Carolina facility, which the company outgrew. "Identifying the right site for our new manufacturing facility was no small task," Randy Rubin said. "Considerable efforts on our behalf were supported by the Gaston County Economic Development Commission, who saw the potential for bringing an exciting, growing business to Gaston County."

Rick Isbell, an experienced textile manufacturing executive, is the new plant manager at the 115,000-square-foot Kings Mountain facility. Research, development and testing will also be conducted there. Hi-Tex, Inc., is headquartered in West Bloomfield, Michigan.