History

The history of Cotton Belt, Inc. is one of fortitude, family, and faith. In 1929, despite the Great Depression, my great-grandfather, Ellis E. Phillips, Sr., cut open his mattress, studied its construction, and began manufacturing his own. He loaded them onto a truck and sent my grandfather, Ellis E. Phillips, Jr., across eastern North Carolina to sell them. Cotton Belt Mattress Company was born.

By 1930, the company expanded into upholstered seating. My grandfather upholstered the first piece using horsehair, hand-tied springs, and tacks held in his mouth. After purchasing an abandoned tobacco warehouse in Pinetops, NC, a 1935 fire destroyed one of the buildings. Undeterred, Ellis Sr. declared, “There is nothing for us to do now but to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps,” and they rebuilt.

After World War II, the second generation—Ellis Jr. (sales), David (plant engineer), and Richard (office manager)—took the company forward. In 1946, the business incorporated as Cotton Belt, Inc., expanding into sofabeds, recliners, and living room suites, and regularly exhibiting at the High Point Market. Investment in machinery—and even a company airplane—helped expand territory.

Following the deaths of Ellis Sr. (1983) and Richard (1984), my father, Ellis E. Phillips, III, became president. During the 1980s, products were marketed under Sleepworthy Bedding and Edgecombe Furniture, with a growing focus on hospitality sleeper sofas and advancing technology.

I joined the company in 1993, learning traditional upholstery before we invested in CAD/CAM systems that improved efficiency and customization. A new bedding facility was successfully opened shortly thereafter, in 2000. My sister, Mary Walter, also joined the family business in 2004 as
Treasurer.

Following a strong 2007 and throughout the Great Recession, prayers for expansion (1 Chronicles 4:10) were believed and answered. Integral staff were added, and the company began exhibiting at BDNY. After a significant spiritual renewal in 2005, I began to seek the Lord, draw near to Him, and understand His Word more than ever before. Joining a C12 Group helped provide a framework to connect my love for Jesus and my love for work while building a great business for a greater purpose. God is the owner of Cotton Belt, Inc., and I just happen to be the current steward.

In 2017, Edgecombe purchased a 140,000-square-foot facility in Greenville, NC, expanding (Isaiah 54:2) and moving operations in 2018 without missing a production day. Continued investment, including advanced cutting technology in 2019, strengthened quality and efficiency. As we have increased capacity, the Lord has always been faithful to fill it (2 Kings 4:1–7).

Through it all, the Lord has blessed us with dedicated people—like George Smith, who has served since 1953 and has worked alongside five generations. Today, Cotton Belt, Inc. operates two factories—Edgecombe Furniture and Sleepworthy Bedding—serving markets across the U.S. and abroad. As we enter our fifth generation of family leadership, we remain grateful, committed to excellence, and focused on stewarding this business for God’s glory and future generations (Proverbs 3:5–6).